Opposition Members of Parliament are set to stage a protest outside Makar Dwar of Parliament on Wednesday, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. The demonstration was scheduled to begin at 10:30 am and is being organised by members of the INDIA bloc as part of their continuing campaign against the Centre over the examination controversy.
According to opposition leaders, the protest will focus on two key issues the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the police action against students who participated in protests near Parliament on July 20. MPs from several opposition parties are expected to gather at Makar Dwar wearing black attire as a mark of protest, while raising slogans demanding accountability from the government.
Congress MP Hibi Eden has also submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha, seeking an urgent discussion on the police action against students protesting over alleged deficiencies in the country's education and examination system. In his notice, Eden argued that Parliament cannot remain a "silent spectator" to reports of students being subjected to lathi-charge and tear gas while exercising their democratic right to protest.
The protest comes a day after opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, demonstrated near the Prime Minister's residence, demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan and action over the alleged police crackdown on protesters. The demonstration was stopped by Delhi Police, leading to the brief detention of several opposition leaders and further escalating the political confrontation between the ruling BJP and the INDIA bloc.
The government has maintained that it is prepared for a detailed discussion on the NEET issue in Parliament and has said that investigations into the alleged examination irregularities are underway. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has rejected the Opposition's allegations, accusing its leaders of politicising student concerns instead of participating in constructive parliamentary debate.
With repeated disruptions inside Parliament and protests outside, the alleged NEET-UG paper leak has emerged as one of the biggest political flashpoints of the Monsoon Session. Both the ruling BJP and the Opposition continue to trade sharp accusations, while the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation remains at the centre of the Opposition's campaign.
