Five adjournments, no work in Rajya Sabha; PM appeals for a smooth session

The NEET paper leak protests found echoes in Parliament with the Opposition forcing five adjournments and no substantial work in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, as they raised slogans and expressed their ire over lathi-charge and use of tear-gas on the protesters. Some parliamentarians tried to reach the protest site at Jantar Mantar and met protesters on the streets in between adjournments.

Congress, DMK and other Opposition parties raised the paper leak issue and raised slogans in the Upper House, leading to repeated adjournments. Chairman CP Radhakrishnan called Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to express his views on the issue in the morning.

"I am thankful to you for giving me an opportunity to speak on the paper leak and NEET examination ghotala.... This is an issue related to students. I am talking about the future of lakhs of students. There has been a lathi-charge at Jantar Mantar where thousands of students have gathered. Government is trying to beat and suppress them," Kharge said.


Congress members shouted "students are being shot at"- referring to use of tear gas- and demanded Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Several Opposition leaders tried to meet the protesters at Jantar Mantar in between proceedings.