LS,RS adjourned till Monday as Opposition protests over NEET

Proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till Monday on Friday as the Monsoon Session of Parliament continued to witness repeated disruptions over the NEET-UG paper leak and other issues, with the Opposition demanding a detailed discussion and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.The deadlock has persisted since the session began on July 20, with Opposition parties also protesting police action during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Sansad Chalo' march. The government, however, accused the Opposition of avoiding a debate despite its willingness to discuss the issue.
According to agency reports,in the Rajya Sabha, proceedings were adjourned for the day soon after the House reassembled for the post-lunch session amid sloganeering by Opposition members. Before the adjournment, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai introduced The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, also referred to as the Vande Mataram Bill, on behalf of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, to accord the singing of Vande Mataram the same legal protection currently available to the National Anthem.

Delhi: Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai moved the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha

(Source: Sansad TV) pic.twitter.com/BjgahE070r

— IANS (@ians_india) July 24, 2026

Members of the CPI and other Opposition parties opposed the introduction of the Bill, alleging it was an attempt to divert attention from the NEET paper leak controversy and the ongoing protests by students. They also described the legislation as an effort to "manufacture patriotism."Deputy Chairman Harivansh allowed the Bill to be introduced through a voice vote despite the protests. As the Chair sought to begin discussion on the legislation, Opposition members continued raising slogans, forcing the adjournment of the House till Monday.
In the Lok Sabha, business was also disrupted by protests,according to agency reports. According to the revised List of Business, the House was scheduled to take up the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, for consideration and passage, while the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was expected to table several reports.Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Opposition for refusing to participate in a discussion on the NEET issue despite repeated assurances from the government.
"The government is fully prepared for a discussion on NEET. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also assured the nation that a stringent law will be brought to prevent examination paper leaks. Avoiding a debate sends a wrong message to the country," Rijiju said.

#WATCH | Delhi: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "For 5 days, we were unable to discuss the NEET paper leak. So, we appealed today as well. Our minister will brief us on the important cabinet decision. Rahul Gandhi was in the House today, so we asked that the debate begin… pic.twitter.com/X5k9Sfj5fg

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2026

On Thursday, Prime Minister Modi had said the Cabinet would take up the NEET paper leak issue and introduce legislation in Parliament aimed at preventing future examination paper leaks.