Monsoon Session opens amid Opposition protests; Parliament witnesses repeated adjournments over NEET, Ram Temple donation row

21/07/2026

New Delhi, Jul 20: The Monsoon Session of Parliament got off to a turbulent start on Monday, with repeated disruptions and adjournments in both the LokSabha and the RajyaSabha as Opposition members raised slogans over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, alleged irregularities in donations to the Ram Temple, and other issues, preventing normal legislative business from proceeding.
The day's proceedings began with obituary references in both Houses, after which members paid tributes to former members and eminent personalities who had passed away since the previous session. Following the obituary references, both the LokSabha and the RajyaSabha were adjourned till 12 noon.
When the Houses reassembled, they were again engulfed in noisy protests, forcing fresh adjournments amid persistent sloganeering by Opposition members.
In the LokSabha, proceedings resumed with the Question Hour after the initial adjournment. However, Opposition MPs immediately raised slogans over the alleged NEET paper leak and allegations relating to the handling of donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, disrupting the proceedings.
Appealing to members to allow the House to function, LokSabha Speaker Om Birla said the opening day of a parliamentary session should not begin with disruptions.
"The House should function smoothly. If the House does not function on the very first day of the session, it will set a bad precedent," Birla said, urging members to return to their seats and participate in debates through established parliamentary procedures. Despite repeated appeals from the Chair, the slogan shouting continued, compelling the Speaker to adjourn the House again till 12.30 pm.
The RajyaSabha witnessed similar scenes. Soon after official papers were laid on the Table of the House, Leader of Opposition MallikarjunKharge sought to raise the issue of the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, describing it as a matter affecting the future of lakhs of students.
"This concerns the future of lakhs of students. Thousands of students have reached JantarMantar, and they were lathi-charged," Kharge said amid loud protests.
"The government is trying to beat them down and suppress the issue," he alleged, as Opposition members rose from their seats and shouted slogans of "shame, shame."
Chairman C P Radhakrishnan urged members to maintain order and allow the House to function. However, as the uproar continued, he adjourned the RajyaSabha till noon. After the House reassembled, disruptions persisted, leading to another adjournment till 12.30 pm. The Opposition also referred to protests taking place at Delhi's JantarMantar over the NEET controversy, accusing the government of attempting to suppress the voices of students demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities.
The disruptions came despite repeated appeals by Prime Minister NarendraModi earlier in the day for all political parties to ensure a productive and constructive Monsoon Session. Addressing the media before the commencement of the session, the Prime Minister had called upon Members of Parliament to engage in meaningful debates, saying Parliament should become a platform for discussions that strengthen democracy and contribute to national development.

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