New Delhi, July 24: Members of Parliament from the INDIA bloc will stage a protest at Parliament’s Makar Dwar at 10:30 am on Friday, continuing their agitation over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak issue during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The protest comes a day after NDA and INDIA bloc MPs held separate demonstrations at Makar Dwar over the issue. The Opposition has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while the NDA has accused Opposition parties of disrupting Parliament and avoiding a discussion on the matter.
The Congress, in a post on X, reiterated three demands: the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, action against those responsible for the alleged use of force against protesting students, and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country’s youth.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the Prime Minister for addressing the issue through a recorded video message instead of making a statement in Parliament. He urged the Prime Minister to dismiss the Education Minister, apologise to students, and order action against those responsible for the alleged use of lathis, batons and pellet guns during protests. Kharge said the Opposition would then be prepared for a detailed discussion on the education system in Parliament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier stated that stricter action would be taken against those involved in examination paper leaks and announced that the Union Cabinet would consider a draft Bill proposing fast-track courts and tougher punishment for those found guilty.
Meanwhile, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi accused the Central Government of responding to peaceful student protests with force and called for an end to the police crackdown. In an opinion article published in The Hindu, she urged the government to engage in dialogue with students instead of using force.
Referring to the July 20 Parliament march, the article alleged that Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces used lathicharge and tear gas against protesters, resulting in injuries to several students. It called on the government to stop the crackdown and hold discussions with the protesting students.