The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the second time on Friday, 24 July, till 2 P.M. after Opposition members raised a fresh uproar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak scandal. The Upper House has now failed to transact any substantive business on the fifth consecutive day of the ongoing Monsoon Session.

How the Disruption Unfolded

When the House reassembled at 12 noon following an earlier morning adjournment, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge rose to demand Pradhan's resignation, triggering an immediate din across the chamber. Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan was left with no option but to adjourn proceedings once again till 2 P.M.

During the morning session, Kharge had also raised the issue of a lathi charge by Delhi Police on students protesting against the NEET paper leak — adding another flashpoint to an already charged atmosphere.

Routine Business Before the Storm

Chairman Radhakrishnan opened proceedings by reading a message paying homage to soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the Kargil War. Some papers were subsequently laid on the Table, and committee reports were presented. Members including Ghanshyam Tewari and Akhilesh Prasad Singh tabled key Action Taken Reports of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee and the Public Accounts Committee. These routine proceedings, however, could not prevent the Opposition from pressing its core demand.

The NEET Controversy at the Centre

The NEET paper leak has emerged as one of the most politically charged issues of the session, with Opposition parties arguing that the scandal has affected lakhs of students across the country. They have consistently called for a detailed discussion and ministerial accountability, while the ruling dispensation has resisted attempts to turn the floor into what it considers a political theatre. The repeated standoffs reflect deep divisions between both sides over how — and whether — the House should address the controversy head-on.

What This Means for the Monsoon Session

With five days of the Monsoon Session already lost to disruptions, concerns are mounting over parliamentary productivity. Both sides are expected to harden their positions in the days ahead, making smooth legislative functioning increasingly difficult. The stalemate has also renewed calls for a structured, time-bound debate on the NEET issue — one that balances Opposition demands for accountability with the government's legislative agenda.