Opposition MPs Wear Black in Lok Sabha, Demand Pradhan Exit Over NEET Leak

Opposition MPs arrived in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday wearing black in protest against the police lathi charge on CJP student protesters, according to The Indian Express and its YouTube channel.

What happened

The Indian Express reported that on Day 3 of the Monsoon Session (July 22), the government told the Lok Sabha it was ready for a discussion on the NEET-UG paper leak issue. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju said: "The government is ready to discuss the NEET paper leak issue."

The Opposition, however, insisted on the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Congress MP KC Venugopal said in the House: "The entire nation is in pain now… the way in which the government brutally dealt with students protesting against Dharmendra Pradhan."

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said: "This issue is not of Congress or SP. It is of the youth… the way you have treated students — hands broken, heads broken."

Speaker Om Birla said all sides wanted a discussion and its form could be discussed, before adjourning the House till 2 pm.

The Indian Express YouTube channel published footage of opposition MPs entering the Lok Sabha in black attire as a visual protest against the reported police action on CJP student protesters.

What we can verify

• The Indian Express reported that the government said it was ready for a discussion on the NEET paper leak in the Lok Sabha on July 22. — Indian Express
• The outlet reported that the Opposition demanded Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. — Indian Express
• Indian Express published video footage showing opposition MPs in black attire in the Lok Sabha protesting the lathi charge on CJP student protesters. — Indian Express YouTube
• The Indian Express reported that the CJP's protest in Delhi on Monday was the context for the opposition's parliamentary push. — Indian Express

What remains unverified

• Whether a formal parliamentary discussion under a specific rule was scheduled after the adjournment is not confirmed in the report.
• This article does not independently assess the government's claim that "the lapses behind the NEET leak have been fixed."