Overview
- Parliament has failed to transact business since the Monsoon Session opened on July 20 because Opposition MPs have repeatedly protested and demanded Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
- Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon on Friday, July 24 after protests over the alleged NEET exam paper leak and reported police action against students disrupted proceedings.
- The government says the Opposition is imposing preconditions on debate and will defend its position, as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Opposition of avoiding an open discussion.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a late-night message that the Cabinet would review the NEET leaks on July 24 and the government would introduce a bill on the issue in Parliament next week.
- Scheduled work blocked by the stalemate includes the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill and several committee reports such as the PAC’s report on delays in the DHANUSH artillery upgrade, delaying oversight and policy decisions.