The Lok Sabha was adjourned on Thursday, 23 July just two minutes after reconvening, as Opposition members erupted in heavy sloganeering over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, which has paralysed Parliament proceedings for days. The House was adjourned till noon after Speaker Om Birla failed to restore order despite repeated appeals.

What Happened on the Floor

Speaker Om Birla repeatedly urged members to be seated and allow the Question Hour to proceed. When the uproar continued unabated, he appealed: “I appeal to all MPs of the government and the Opposition to come after the Question Hour and discuss the issue within the rules of the House.” The appeal went unheeded, and the House was adjourned till noon.

Notably, the disruption came even as the government had already signalled its willingness to hold a structured debate on the paper leak issue — making the Opposition’s walkout a pointed escalation rather than a response to stonewalling.

Government’s Position on NEET Discussions

On Wednesday, 22 July, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda stated that the Centre was open to discussions with all stakeholders on the examination paper leak issue. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju urged all parties to meet Speaker Om Birla to decide on a date, time, and applicable rule for conducting the NEET discussion in Parliament, stressing the need to avoid “wasting time.” Rijiju, however, noted that the procedural rule under which the debate would be held still needed to be settled.

PM Modi Announces Fast-Track Courts for Paper Leak Cases

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that the government had decided to establish fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those found responsible for paper leaks. In a post on X, Modi said: “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard.”

Modi also issued a direct warning: “Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared. The welfare and future of the country’s youth is our topmost priority.” He described the fast-track court move as part of a broader series of measures by the Central government aimed at “safeguarding the interests of students.”

Broader Context

The NEET-UG paper leak row has dominated the Budget Session of Parliament, with the Opposition demanding an immediate discussion and a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe. This is the second consecutive day the Lok Sabha has been disrupted over the issue. The controversy has drawn in student protests across multiple states, putting the government on the defensive over the integrity of competitive examinations administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

With fast-track courts now announced and the government signalling openness to debate, the coming days will test whether Parliament can move from disruption to deliberation on one of the session’s most politically charged issues.