Centre offers Parliament debate on NEET row:Cong says not enough

The Centre on Wednesday expressed its readiness for a detailed discussion in Parliament on the NEET paper leak controversy, even as the Opposition intensified its protests and reiterated its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav and several other Opposition leaders staged a protest on the Parliament premises wearing black clothes, accusing the government of failing to ensure accountability over the alleged examination irregularities.According to media reports, the Centre is prepared for a comprehensive debate on the issue in Parliament but views the Opposition's demand for Pradhan's resignation as "politically motivated." The governemnt sources said the government acted promptly after the paper leak came to light and has already taken corrective measures.Senior government functionaries maintained that the lapses behind the NEET paper leak have been addressed and that admissions under NEET, CUET and JEE Main are largely progressing on schedule.

#WATCH | Delhi: Wearing black clothes, Opposition MPs protest on the Parliament premises.

Earlier this morning, Congress MP Pawan Khera told ANI that all Opposition MPs are wearing black today as a mark of "protest against what they have done to the students of this country in… pic.twitter.com/ov8Q26p6hL

— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2026

The Congress, however, maintained that a parliamentary discussion alone would not be sufficient and insisted that ministerial accountability must begin with Pradhan stepping down.The protests over the alleged NEET paper leak entered their third consecutive day on Wednesday despite clashes between protesters and police earlier this week,with people, including supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), continuing to join the sit-in. The CJP warned that "millions more will come" to Delhi if the government failed to accept its demands, chiefly the resignation of Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue.The CJP leadership, led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, also reiterated its demand following the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' march that no FIR should be lodged, or any future FIR registered, against protesters who participated in the agitation.
The protests have continued despite clashes between demonstrators and police earlier this week. Delhi Police said dozens of its personnel were injured during the violence on Monday.As security was tightened across the national capital, 16 Delhi Metro stations remained closed due to "security reasons", causing significant inconvenience and travel disruption for commuters.

STORY | Sixteen Delhi Metro stations closed due to 'security reasons'

Sixteen Delhi Metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Mandi House, ITO and Khan Market, were closed on Wednesday morning due to security reasons, the DMRC said.

The closures come amid the… pic.twitter.com/BTHPdDNAeU

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 22, 2026

The political standoff comes after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav and several other Opposition leaders were detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday while protesting near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence. They were released later the same day.
Meanwhile, Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh met a delegation of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been leading the agitation over the alleged examination irregularities. Earlier on Tuesday evening, the two ministers also met fasting activist Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka stated that the protest would intensify if the government failed to respond to the demonstrators' demands, saying that larger mobilisations would be organised in Delhi.Amid the ongoing protests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for strict action against those responsible for the alleged paper leak. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju conveyed the Prime Minister's message after the NDA Parliamentary Party's 'Mangal Milan' meeting."The PM called on NDA partners to remain united in supporting legislative business and appealed to opposition parties to work constructively in parliament, saying that while political differences may exist, all MPs have a shared responsibility to work for the country's future and the welfare of its youth," Rijiju said, quoting the Prime Minister.

"दोषियों को किसी भी कीमत पर बख्शा नहीं जाएगा..."

NEET पेपर लीक मामले पर पीएम मोदी ने देश के युवाओं को न्याय का भरोसा दिलाया। साथ ही, युवाओं के भविष्य को सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता देते हुए पेपर लीक पर रोक लगाने के लिए कड़े कानून और सख्त व्यवस्थाएं लागू कीं।

इस पोस्ट को शेयर कर इसे देश… pic.twitter.com/nIKvgfWlhm

— BJP (@BJP4India) July 21, 2026

Separately, Samajwadi Party workers staged protests against the detention of Akhilesh Yadav, alleging that the BJP-led government was attempting to suppress democratic dissent.
With the government offering a parliamentary debate while rejecting calls for the Education Minister's resignation, and the Opposition continuing its demonstrations inside and outside Parliament, the NEET paper leak issue is expected to remain one of the central flashpoints of the ongoing Monsoon Session.