Akhilesh Questions ‘Government-Congress Deal’ After Being Denied Chance To Speak On NEET

July 22, 2026

New Delhi : Parliament witnessed stormy scenes for the third consecutive day on Wednesday as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav protested against not being allowed to speak on the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the police crackdown on the July 20 student protest. As the Lok Sabha convened, Opposition members demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a discussion on the NEET controversy.

Even after an adjournment, the protests continued, following which the Speaker allowed representatives from the BJP and the Congress to speak. A visibly agitated Akhilesh Yadav rose to intervene, arguing that the issue transcended party politics and directly affected students and young people across the country. “You have allowed them (Congress) and them (BJP) to speak. What about us? Has the government struck a deal? Have you reached some kind of understanding?” Akhilesh asked.

Earlier in the day, Akhilesh joined Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders in a protest inside Parliament against the police action on students and the detention of Opposition MPs. As a mark of protest, several Opposition leaders wore black attire. Calling for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, Akhilesh warned that students would once again take to the streets if their concerns continued to be ignored.

He also criticised Prime Minister Modi for remaining silent on the alleged police excesses during the Cockroach Janta Party’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on Monday, when clashes broke out between protesters and police in central Delhi. “Can’t he (PM Modi) make a statement in Parliament for the country’s youth? If he can speak outside, why not inside Parliament?” Akhilesh asked.

“The clothes of women students were torn, students were hit with lathis… Their limbs were broken. Is this the way to treat our students? Will you tear the clothes of our daughters? Is this the way to treat them?” he said. Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju maintained that the government had been ready to discuss the NEET paper leak issue since the first day of the Monsoon Session and accused the Opposition of delaying the debate.