New Delhi, Jul 20,2026: The Monsoon Session of Parliament got off to a turbulent start on Monday, with repeated disruptions and adjournments in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha 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 Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha 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 Lok Sabha, 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, Lok Sabha 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 Rajya Sabha witnessed similar scenes. Soon after official papers were laid on the Table of the House, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge 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 Jantar Mantar, 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 Rajya Sabha 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 Jantar Mantar 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 Narendra Modi 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.
The Monsoon Session, scheduled to continue until August 13, is expected to witness an intense confrontation between the government and the Opposition. The Opposition has indicated that it will seek discussions on several issues, including the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, price rise, unemployment, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following recent floods, and other matters of public importance.
The government, meanwhile, has lined up an ambitious legislative agenda, including the introduction and consideration of several important Bills across both Houses. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has expressed hope that all parties will cooperate to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament and facilitate meaningful discussions on issues concerning the country.
With both Houses witnessing repeated adjournments on the opening day itself, the Monsoon Session began on a confrontational note, signalling that the weeks ahead are likely to see sharp exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches over a range of political and public issues.
