Opposition Demands PM's Apology in NEET Row, Parliament Stalled
Opposition parties on Thursday continued their demand for an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), as protests disrupted parliamentary proceedings. MPs from both the ruling and opposition camps staged counter-protests outside Parliament, raising slogans against each other.
The Opposition, led by the Congress and other parties, has been pressing for a discussion on the NEET issue, which they claim has affected millions of students. They are seeking a statement from the Prime Minister and an apology for what they term as 'mismanagement' of the examination process. Ruling party MPs, however, have dismissed the allegations, accusing the Opposition of disrupting Parliament for political gain.
The protests came amid a series of meetings between parliamentary leaders to break the deadlock. Sources indicate that the government is open to a debate but not to an apology, while the Opposition insists on both. The impasse has led to repeated adjournments of both Houses of Parliament.
Background: The NEET controversy escalated after reports of question paper leaks and irregularities in the conducting of the exam. The government has denied any wrongdoing and has taken steps to address the issue, including setting up a committee to review the process. However, Opposition parties argue that these measures are insufficient and demand accountability at the highest level.
As Parliament remains stalled, both sides are bracing for a prolonged showdown. The ruling party has called for cooperation to pass key legislation, while the Opposition warns of continued protests until their demands are met.
