Proceedings of the Rajya Sabha were adjourned during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament on July 22, 2026. Photo: Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab

Repeated adjournments paralysed the proceedings in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) as the Opposition and the government fought over the rules governing a discussion on the alleged National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) question paper leak. While the Opposition demanded a discussion under Rule 267, which requires the suspension of the day’s business, the Government said no conditions could be dictated.

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Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh read out a ruling that an adjournment motion could be taken up only in the “rarest of the rare” situations. The Opposition argued that the current situation qualified as the “rarest of the rare” and demanded a discussion under Rule 267, adding that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan must resign before the debate.

The House witnessed repeated sloganeering followed by multiple adjournments and did not take up any agenda during the day.

In the morning, Opposition MPs turned up wearing black attire. The House paid homage to the 20 people killed in an accident at an under-construction hydropower tunnel in Sikkim. Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan also informed the House about the indigenously developed hydrogen-powered train.

Soon after the Chair’s announcements, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the police action against protesting students at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Monday, and said it caused him “immense pain. As soon as he started speaking, BJP members raised slogans, prompting counter slogans by the Opposition members. As the ruckus continued, the Chairman adjourned the House until noon.

When the House reassembled at 12 p.m., Mr. Kharge tried to raise the issue again, but sloganeering continued, forcing Deputy Chairman Harivansh to adjourn the House till 2 p.m. In the afternoon, the Upper House was adjourned till 3 p.m. and later for the day.

When the House met again at 2 p.m., Mr. Harivansh invited Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiran Rijiju to speak. Mr. Rijiju maintained that the government was ready to discuss all issues and criticised the Opposition for putting conditions on the debate. He said it was for the Chair to decide the rule under which the debate could happen. “The government has been saying since the beginning of the session... all important issues, including NEET paper leak, will be discussed,” he said.

Mr. Kharge questioned this and reiterated that the discussion must happen under Rule 267 and that Mr. Pradhan’s resignation must precede the debate. He also tried to raise the issue of police action against protesters in Delhi, amid sloganeering by BJP MPs. Leader of the House J. P. Nadda accused the Opposition of destroying the dignity of Parliament through their “irresponsible behaviour”. He said Mr. Rijiju had made it clear that the Government was willing to discuss all issues, including the NEET paper leak.

DMK MP Tiruchi Siva also spoke briefly, arguing that the issue qualified as a “rarest of the rare” situation, warranting a discussion under Rule 267.

“We all have given a Rule 267 notice with regard to the ongoing students’ strike over the NEET paper leak, and you quoted the precedent that Rule 267 has not been taken up for the past many years, but you also mentioned that it could be taken up on the rarest of rare occasions. We say that this is one such occasion because Sonam [Wangchuk] has been fasting for many days, has now been hospitalised, and his life is at stake. Already, 95 students have died by suicide, the students’ strike is also going on, and the government has also given an assurance,” Mr. Siva said.

Published - July 22, 2026 10:54 pm IST