Rahul Gandhi Alleges Mic Was Switched Off in Lok Sabha, Opposition Insists on Education Minister’s Resignation Before NEET Debate

New Delhi, July 2024 : The political confrontation between the Centre and the Opposition over the alleged NEET paper leak intensified on Friday, with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleging that his microphone was switched off in the House while he was attempting to respond to remarks made by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.

Rahul Gandhi also reiterated that the Opposition would not participate in any discussion on the issue unless Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned and Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologised to students over the controversy and the alleged police action against protesters.

The development comes amid continuing disruptions during the Monsoon Session of Parliament over demands for a comprehensive debate on the alleged examination irregularities and accountability within the education system.

Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had accused Opposition parties of avoiding a discussion on the paper leak issue despite repeatedly demanding one. He urged all political parties, particularly the Opposition, to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and agree on a date, time and procedural rule for holding a debate without further delaying Parliament’s functioning.

Interestingly, the Opposition has also been seeking a discussion on the issue but has insisted that it should be conducted under an adjournment motion, allowing for a detailed debate and a formal response from the government.

Addressing reporters outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi alleged that parliamentary conventions were not followed when he attempted to reply to Rijiju’s remarks.

“Just now, Kiren Rijiju said that he wants us to ask our MPs to allow a discussion. Under normal parliamentary protocol, if someone takes your name, you are given an opportunity to respond. But when I tried to speak, my microphone was switched off and I was not allowed to reply,” Gandhi claimed.

The Congress leader asserted that the Opposition’s position reflected the demands being raised by students protesting across the country.

“Our stand is based on three demands from the students. First, the Education Minister must resign. Second, action and accountability should be fixed against those who allegedly attacked students during the protests. Third, the Prime Minister should apologise to the students. These are our three conditions,” he said.

Gandhi maintained that there would be no discussion on the issue until Dharmendra Pradhan was removed from office.

“We are not going to have any conversation or discussion before Mr. Pradhan is sacked. That is our position,” he said.

Congress MP Tariq Anwar supported Rahul Gandhi’s allegation, describing the proceedings in the House as “surprising and unfortunate.”

“The Leader of the Opposition was not allowed to speak. That is not in keeping with democratic traditions. I don’t understand why the government does not want the Opposition to express its views,” Anwar said.

Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav also backed the Opposition’s demand, rejecting suggestions that the Opposition was responsible for the continued stalemate in Parliament.

“There is no deadlock from our side. We want a discussion to take place, but before that the Education Minister should resign. The government does not appear willing to listen because of its arrogance,” she said.

Dimple Yadav further argued that Dharmendra Pradhan should step down on moral grounds, saying ministerial accountability was essential to restore public confidence in the examination system.

Congress MP Kumari Selja echoed similar sentiments, stating that the government had failed to appreciate the ethical dimension of the controversy.

“Our demands arise from the manner in which students were allegedly treated during the protests. We have also demanded the withdrawal of FIRs registered against students and protesters, besides seeking the resignation of the Education Minister,” she said.

The standoff between the government and the Opposition has continued to disrupt proceedings during the Monsoon Session, with both sides remaining firm on their respective positions. While the Centre has maintained that it is prepared to discuss the paper leak issue in Parliament, the Opposition insists that any meaningful debate must begin with political accountability, including the resignation of the Education Minister and action over the alleged handling of student protests.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)