Lok Sabha doesn’t function as Rahul Gandhi says first the ‘corrupt’ Education Minister has to go

Published 24 July 2026 · politics

The Lok Sabha did not function for the fifth straight day on Friday (July 24, 2026), as the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi made

The Lok Sabha did not function for the fifth straight day on Friday (July 24, 2026), as the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi made it clear that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has to resign before Parliament starts discussion on paper leaks. Also read: Parliament Monsoon Session Day 5 highlights on July 24, 2026 Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said imposing preconditions before allowing a discussion on the NEET paper leak would send a “wrong message” to the country. The Congress leadership, however, has decided to convene a meeting on Sunday to discuss its stance on the new anti-paper leak law that the government plans to bring to Parliament next week. “Our first demand, the corrupt Education Minister has to go,” Mr. Gandhi told reporters after the House was adjourned for the day. Rijiju pushes for discussion The Opposition leader said the Chair did not allow him to respond to the Parliamentary Affairs Minister.

Soon after the Lok Sabha reassembled at noon after an adjournment, Mr. Rijiju urged Mr. Gandhi to ask Opposition parties to start discussion on paper leaks. Speaking in the House, Mr. Rijiju said the government had repeatedly appealed to the Opposition to allow a discussion on recurring examination paper leaks. Referring to Mr. Gandhi by name, he said several Opposition MPs wanted a debate and urged the Opposition leader to persuade his members to participate in it. Rijiju also cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a stringent anti-paper leak law and fast-track courts to prosecute those involved in such offences, saying the government had already demonstrated its commitment to safeguarding students’ future. He informed the House that the Union Cabinet would take up the proposed legislation later in the day. As Mr. Rijiju concluded, Mr. Gandhi rose to respond.

However, Jagdambika Pal, who was in the Chair, said he would be given an opportunity after Ministers tabled official papers. Amid the laying of papers, Opposition members raised slogans demanding Mr. Pradhan’s resignation and trooped into the Well of the House, forcing another adjournment. The House was later adjourned for the day till Monday without Mr. Gandhi getting an opportunity to speak. Speaking to reporters in the Parliament complex, Mr. Gandhi alleged that he was denied an opportunity to present the Opposition’s position after Mr. Rijiju referred to him by name. “Whenever someone is named, it is normal parliamentary practice to allow that person to respond. But when I stood up, I was not allowed to speak and my microphone was switched off,” he said. He reiterated that the Opposition would not engage in any discussion until three demands were met: the resignation of Mr. Pradhan, action against those responsible for the alleged police assault on protesting students, and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.