Indian govt ready to discuss NEET issue in parliament

The Indian government is ready to discuss all issues related to the NEET exam irregularities and the protests surrounding the issue in parliament, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh said today (21 July).

Singh made the remarks after meeting Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi during the Congress' sit-in protest over the NEET controversy. 

He urged Gandhi to end the protest, alleging that the Congress leader had "backtracked" from his earlier demand for a discussion on the issue.

"It does not befit a leader of his stature," Singh said, claiming that Gandhi did not agree to his request and instead demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first remarks on the NEET controversy after protests intensified in Delhi, saying strict action had been taken against those involved in the "grave sin" of paper leaks.

Addressing BJP-led NDA MPs ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Modi said the issue was "not a matter of party politics but a matter of national interest".

His comments came amid growing protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, with opposition parties demanding accountability from the government.

Yesterday (20 July), thousands of protesters marched towards Parliament in Delhi as part of a demonstration called by the Congress-backed student wing over the NEET issue. The protesters demanded Pradhan's resignation, but the march was stopped by police using barricades, batons and tear gas.

The NEET controversy erupted after allegations of question paper leaks, irregularities in grace marks and other discrepancies surfaced, prompting widespread protests among students and opposition parties.