Rahul Gandhi Demands Parliament Debate on Student Protest Crackdown, NEET Paper Leak Row

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and senior leaders of the INDIA bloc met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday to demand a dedicated discussion in Parliament regarding alleged NEET-UG examination paper leaks and the subsequent police action against protesting students in the national capital. The delegation, which included Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and floor leaders from various opposition parties, urged the Speaker to allocate formal time during the ongoing Monsoon Session for a debate on student welfare and administrative accountability.

Speaking after the meeting, Rahul Gandhi criticised the government's handling of student demonstrations in Delhi, where police used force to disperse protesters marching toward Parliament on Monday. "Students were beaten for asking legitimate questions about their own future. If Parliament cannot discuss the future of India's youth, what is it for?" Gandhi said, adding that the opposition would continue to raise the issue both inside and outside the House. Government Stands With Students On NEET Paper Leaks, Says PM Narendra Modi at NDA 'Mangal Milan' Meet (Video).

Congress President and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge also criticized the government, alleging that opposition leaders were prevented from raising the matter on the floor of the House. Kharge stated that his microphone was switched off when he attempted to address the police action against student demonstrators, and announced he would forgo celebrating his birthday in protest of the crackdown.

The opposition has called for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to address Parliament and explain the alleged irregularities in the examination system. In response, Union Health Minister and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha J.P. Nadda held preliminary discussions with student representatives and appealed for an end to street protests while the government reviews their demands. 'Lokan Di Avaaz Rab Di Avaaz Hundi Aa': Diljit Dosanjh Backs CJP Protest, Recalls Being Called 'Anti-National'.

Leaders of INDIA Bloc Meets Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

LOP Sh. @RahulGandhi ji and other Opposition MPs met the Hon’ble Lok Sabha Speaker demanding that the LOP and Opposition Parties be given dedicated time to raise the issue of the NEET and CBSE fiascos, the Delhi Police’s violence on peaceful youth protesters yesterday, and to… pic.twitter.com/Naf5cl5Aeu

— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) July 21, 2026

The demands come amid escalating political friction over recurring paper leak allegations and national examination management. The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which commenced on Monday, is scheduled to run through August 13.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 21, 2026 12:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).