Lok Sabha adjourned amid opposition protests over NEET paper leak

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Thursday amid opposition protests over the NEET paper leak controversy and demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The House was disrupted for the fourth consecutive day as opposition members raised slogans and displayed placards demanding a discussion on the issue.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the opposition of imposing preconditions and said the government was ready for a debate on the NEET paper leak. He said opposition members could speak for as long as they wanted and that the discussion could continue for two days.

He also said the date and duration of the discussion in both Houses could be decided by the opposition and that the government had approached the Congress and other opposition parties to hold the debate.

Earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appealed to members to allow the House to function and participate in the discussion after Question Hour.

"The Question Hour is the most important. After the Question Hour, the House is ready to discuss every issue. I will speak to the government and the government is also ready for discussions. I appeal to all members to participate in the discussion after the Question Hour," Birla said.

Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, also met Birla amid the disruptions. TMC leaders Saugata Roy and Mahua Moitra were present at the meeting.

The House was adjourned after opposition members continued their protests despite repeated appeals from the Chair to maintain decorum and return to their seats.