Kiren Rijiju Urges Opposition To Begin Parliament Debate (Img: X)
New Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday urged Opposition parties to participate in a discussion on the NEET paper leak controversy without imposing any preconditions, saying the issue should not be politicised.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Rijiju said the government was prepared to begin the debate immediately and questioned why any conditions were being linked to the discussion.
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Rijiju said all parties had demanded a debate on the alleged examination irregularities and therefore there should be no obstacle to starting it.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says the government was ready to begin a discussion on the NEET exam paper leak today, but alleged that the Opposition changed its stand after talks. "We spoke to several Opposition leaders, including Congress, and everyone agreed that a way forward… pic.twitter.com/UZD3w1AXeP
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) July 23, 2026
He appealed to Opposition members to allow Parliament to function and said the discussion could begin in the House the same day. According to the minister, attaching prior demands to the debate would raise questions about the Opposition’s intent.
Rijiju referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement that fast-track courts would be established for paper leak cases.
He said the government had already promised swift trials and stringent punishment for those found guilty of compromising students’ futures. The Prime Minister has also directed the concerned authorities to take the necessary steps to implement the decision.
Rijiju’s statement came a day after he told the Lok Sabha that the Centre had been ready to discuss the NEET controversy from the beginning.
He said floor leaders would need to decide the parliamentary rule, date and duration of the discussion. The government, he added, wanted a meaningful debate on the measures already taken in response to the controversy.
Opposition parties have repeatedly demanded a debate on the alleged NEET paper leak while also seeking Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Protests by Opposition MPs have disrupted proceedings in both Houses over the past several days.
Rijiju appealed to political parties to set aside their differences and participate in the debate without linking it to any prior conditions.
