The NEET and NET row rocked Parliament on Friday with the Congress-led Opposition alleging their voice was being muzzled and the BJP-led ruling alliance NDA declaring that the government was ready for discussion as per tradition and by maintaining decorum.

While proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjourned for the day before noon, the attempts to run Rajya Sabha ended with Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar remarks of "worst sacrilege that could be committed for this temple of democracy" following heated exchange of words with Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge who stepped in the Well of the House.

Kharge claimed he was forced to take the step as he was being humiliated by the Chair and his voice along with those of other Opposition members went unheard.

Both Dhankar and Speaker Om Birla and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told Opposition members that they could discuss the matter during the course of the Motion of Thanks on the President's address but the Opposition insisted on their demand for a discussion on matters related to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

As members from the Congress, TMC and DMK parties stormed the Well, Rijiju said it was for the first time that the Opposition is seen demanding a discussion on an issue before the House takes up the Motion of Thanks on the President's address.

In the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said the NEET issue is a very important issue for the whole country and they want a dedicated discussion in the House on the matter. Hence, the adjournment motion should be accepted, he said. "Parliament should send message to the youth that the government and Opposition are together in addressing concerns of students," Rahul said.

The House also witnessed some unusual scenes as Rahul Gandhi claimed his microphone was turned off and asked the Speaker to switch it on, to which the latter gave a prompt rejoinder. "I don't have any button to switch off the microphone. There existed a similar set-up earlier.  “There is no mechanism to gag the microphone," Birla retorted.

Rajya Sabha too witnessed chaotic scenes as Opposition members, demanding a discussion on the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), raised slogans and entered the Well of the House during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address. Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam fainted earlier due to blood pressure and Dhankhar instituted for arrangements.

However, the Opposition was apparently not satisfied and started sloganeering. Soon after, they staged a walkout and were also joined by members of the BJD. Dhankhar again expressed anguish over the situation prevailing in the House. He said it was "unbelievable" that Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge entered the Well of the House to protest.

"It was very painful for me, unbelievable for me to see Mallikarjun Kharge, a leader with parliamentary experience of over five decades, having held the position of Leader of Opposition both in the State Assembly and in Parliament, walking into the Well of the House. We expect the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the House to exemplify their conduct that is worth emulating," Dhankhar said.

Kharge and his party justified the act by saying he did so to draw attention of the Speaker since he was not allowed to speak and his mike was switched off by the Chairman.

Amid the uproar, senior JD (S) leader and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda appealed to the Opposition to let the House function smoothly and said the government cannot fix responsibility until the probe in the matter is completed.

BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi, who initiated the discussion on the Motion of Thanks in Rajya Sabha, said it was unfortunate that the Opposition was continuing with its protests and sloganeering despite an appeal for order by a senior member like Gowda.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the government is ready for discussion on the medical entrance exam issue but that should take place as per tradition and by maintaining decorum. Interacting with reporters after the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day amid protests, the minister appealed to them not to confuse the students.