New Delhi, July 28: Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha remained stalled for the sixth consecutive day of the Monsoon Session on Monday after repeated protests by Opposition members demanding an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the police action against students protesting the alleged NEET paper leak.
The House was unable to transact scheduled business, including consideration of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, as Opposition MPs continued raising slogans and pressing for a statement from the Home Minister.
When the House reconvened in the afternoon, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai moved the Bill for consideration despite objections from Opposition members, including Pramod Tiwari, John Brittas, and Tiruchi Siva. The Deputy Chairman rejected the points of order raised by the members, but continued protests forced repeated adjournments.
Later in the day, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged the Congress and other Opposition parties to participate in discussions on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, stating that the government was prepared to debate the issue of examination paper leaks. He said the legislation was important for students and appealed to the Opposition to allow Parliament to function.
Responding on behalf of the Opposition, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the Opposition was not opposed to a discussion but insisted that Home Minister Amit Shah should first make a statement in the House regarding the police action against the protesting students.
Earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan rejected multiple notices submitted under Rule 267 seeking to suspend the listed business and take up discussions on the issue. The rejection led to further protests, resulting in repeated adjournments before the House was finally adjourned for the day without conducting substantive business.
