New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Wednesday after the government accused the Opposition, led by the Congress, of bringing in new conditions that prevented a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue.
Soon after the Upper House met at 3 p.m. following multiple adjournments during the day, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "I want to tell the Congress party through you (the Chair), that you (Congress) are giving the wrong message outside that you want a discussion. When the government is itself saying that it wants a discussion, they (Congress) are imposing conditions to not allow a discussion to take place by again and again coming up with excuses."
Rijiju said the government was ready to discuss all issues, but the Chairman would decide under which rule a debate could take place.
Both DMK's Tiruchi Siva and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge appealed to Harivansh, who was in the Chair, to allow a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue under Rule 267, citing the current situation as the "rarest of rare".
The Opposition also insisted that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign before such a debate was taken up.
Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Rajya Sabha enables a member, with the Chairman's consent, to seek suspension of the listed business of the House to take up a matter of urgent public importance.
Amid the uproar, Harivansh adjourned the House for the day.
The House saw multiple adjournments for the third consecutive day as Opposition parties led by the Congress disrupted proceedings, protesting against Monday's police action on students demonstrating over the alleged NEET examination paper leak.
Citing past rulings, Deputy Chairman Harivansh said Rule 267 had been invoked in the House only on the "rarest of the rare occasions" over the last four decades.
Earlier, Leader of the House JP Nadda slammed the Opposition parties, saying, "INDI Alliance has irresponsible behaviour, they are destroying the dignity of Parliament."
No business has been conducted in the Rajya Sabha since the beginning of the Monsoon Session on Monday.