Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday accused the Opposition of deliberately avoiding a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the NEET paper leak controversy and the protests by students.
Rijiju claimed the government was prepared to answer questions on the issue but alleged that Opposition parties were unwilling to engage in a debate.
“I am totally frustrated. For the first time, I am seeing a situation where the government is ready for a discussion, but the Opposition is running away,” Rijiju said.
The comments followed an appeal by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to hold consultations with Opposition parties over a possible discussion on the NEET controversy. Shah has said he is prepared to respond to questions raised by MPs on the matter.
The issue has remained a major point of contention during the Monsoon Session, which has led to repeated disruptions in both Houses of Parliament.
Opposition parties have raised concerns over the alleged NEET paper leak and the protests that followed, while other issues, including allegations related to donations collected for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, have also featured in their demonstrations.
Speaking to reporters at Parliament, Rijiju said the government had no reason to avoid a discussion and was willing to provide additional time if the Opposition agreed to it. “The Home Minister is ready for the discussion. He has prepared his reply. He is waiting to answer. But they are running away,” he assured.
The minister said the government was willing to accommodate the Opposition even if it agreed to the debate at short notice. “If the Congress agrees even today to hold the debate tomorrow at 11 am, we are ready to extend the time. We are prepared for the discussion,” he asserted.
Rijiju argued that the Opposition's reluctance to participate in a debate was contrary to the basic responsibilities of parliamentary democracy. “The government is ready, but can you imagine that the Opposition is not ready? This is not good for democracy,” Rijiju emphasised.
He maintained that accountability in Parliament was a shared responsibility and said both the government and Opposition had an obligation to engage with contentious issues.
The confrontation over the NEET issue comes as the Monsoon Session approaches its end, with repeated disruptions limiting the time available for substantive debate.
While the Opposition continues to demand answers over alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination, the government has insisted that it is willing to address the concerns in Parliament. Whether the two sides can agree on a discussion before the session concludes remains a key political flashpoint.
