Parliament Impasse Nears End as Lok Sabha Set to Debate Exam Reform Bill
New Delhi: The prolonged deadlock in Parliament showed signs of resolution on Monday, with indications that the Lok Sabha may take up the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill for discussion and passage on Tuesday. The bill, which seeks to enhance punishment for paper leaks, is part of a series of measures announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address student protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam.
Sources said a breakthrough emerged after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reached out to both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and opposition parties. The Speaker emphasised the importance of debate on the bill, describing it as a matter linked to the youth and the integrity of public examinations. Around 2 pm, Birla urged the two sides to resolve their differences before the House reconvened at 5 pm.
According to sources, Birla met with Congress leader K C Venugopal and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and also contacted other opposition members, encouraging them to agree to a discussion. Six hours have been allocated for the debate, with the possibility of extension if needed.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju noted that 91 amendment notices to the bill had been submitted by opposition MPs, suggesting their willingness to engage in the debate. The bill was introduced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh amidst din earlier in the session.
The opposition's primary demand had been a response from Home Minister Amit Shah regarding allegations of police excesses against protesting students. Opposition leaders insisted that Shah address the House on the use of force, including pellet guns in Delhi and AK-47 rifles in Bihar. They accused the government of suppressing dissent.
The government, in turn, accused the Congress party of obstructing parliamentary proceedings for political reasons. Rijiju warned that the Congress's reputation was being damaged by its refusal to debate the bill.
Amid the impasse, proceedings in both Houses were washed out for the day due to opposition protests. However, the prospect of a discussion on the exam reform bill has improved the chances of normalcy returning, with the Rajya Sabha also likely to take up the 'Vande Mataram' bill, which makes insulting the national song a penal offence.
The government's determination to secure the passage of the exam bill is seen as a move to pacify student protesters. If the opposition had continued to stall, it risked losing the opportunity to criticise the legislation, while the NDA could have claimed that opposition leaders were avoiding debate.
Meanwhile, efforts are also underway to secure the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment bill related to women's reservation in Parliament and state assemblies.
