Oppn Forces Six Adjournments in Rajya Sabha Over NEET Paper Leak

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned six times on Monday amid Opposition protests demanding action against those responsible for the NEET examination question paper leak. The day's proceedings were marked by sloganeering and disruptions, leading to multiple adjournments.

The session began with Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan administering the oath of office to nine newly elected members, including three who recently switched from the Trinamool Congress to the BJP: Prakash Chik Baraik, Sushmita Dev, and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray. Opposition members shouted slogans as these members took their oaths.

Congress members also heckled BJP leader Mahesh Kewat, a newly elected member from Madhya Pradesh, after the candidature of Congress's Meenakshi Natrajan was disqualified. They chanted “seat chori” as Mr. Kewat prepared to take his oath.

Other members who took the oath included BJP's Satish Poonia (Rajasthan), Congress's Pawan Khera (Karnataka), BJP's Mukeshbhai J. Rathwa (Gujarat), National People's Party's James Sangma (Meghalaya), and Zoram People's Movement's Khiangte Laltluangkima (Mizoram).

Following the oath-taking and customary laying of papers, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of the paper leak, drawing attention to the police action at Jantar Mantar where students were protesting. “Thousands of students have reached Jantar Mantar, and they were lathi-charged,” Mr. Kharge said. “The government is trying to beat them down and suppress the issue.” Opposition members joined in shouting “shame, shame.”

Amid the uproar, the Chairman adjourned the House till noon. The proceedings were adjourned for the second time till 12:30 p.m., then further to 12:50 p.m., and again to 2 p.m. When the House met at 12:50 p.m., the crowd at Rail Bhawan, near Parliament gate, had grown. As the Opposition continued sloganeering, Mr. Radhakrishnan adjourned the House till 2 p.m.

Upon reassembly, Deputy Chairman Harivansh informed members about the Business Advisory Committee's decision to allocate time for government legislative business. As Opposition members persisted with slogans, Mr. Harivansh urged them to maintain decorum. When they refused, he adjourned the House for half an hour till 2:30 p.m. When the House convened again, the Deputy Chairman tried to pacify the members and urged them to allow the House to function. The Opposition ignored his appeal, leading to Mr. Harivansh adjourning the House for the day.