Oppn Demand Pradhan’s Sacking, Parliament Houses Adjourned Till Monday

New Delhi: The proceedings of both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjourned till 11 AM Monday, following massive uproar from the opposition benches in both houses of the parliament, demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged failures in his duties as the Union Minister of Education.

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day soon after the House assembled for the post-lunch session on Friday as the Opposition continued to protest over various issues, including NEET paper leak and introduction of The Prevention of Insults To National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Upper House has not been able to conduct any substantial business since Monday -- the first day of monsoon session.

As the House assembled at 2 pm after two adjournments earlier in the day, Deputy Chairman Harivansh asked Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai to introduce The Prevention of Insults To National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Opposition members, particularly from Left parties, opposed the introduction of the bill.

However, the proposed legislation was introduced after a voice vote.

As the Chairman urged the House to start discussion on the bill, the Opposition created an uproar, leading to adjournment of the House.

The Upper House will meet next on Monday.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed two adjournments in the morning session over the NEET paper leak issue and police action on protesters with the Opposition demanding resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Lok Sabha proceedings were washed out for the fifth day in a row on Friday as the opposition stuck to its demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, while the government said any excuse to not let a debate take place on the NEET paper leak issue would send a wrong signal to the country.

Dharmendra Pradhan ‘Istifa Do’

When the House met at 12 noon after an earlier adjournment, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju pointed to the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and said the government has repeatedly reached out to opposition parties to let debate on the paper leak take place in Parliament.

He said the Union Cabinet will take a decision on the proposed law on Friday.

However, the Congress and other opposition parties continued to insist on resignation of Pradhan and shouted slogans like "Istifa Do".

When Gandhi wanted to speak, Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding the House, said he will give him a chance after minister's table parliamentary documents but the House was later adjourned for the day till Monday and the Congress leader couldn't speak.

For the past five days, the House has been witnessing repeated adjournments due to opposition protest over the NEET paper leak issue.

The opposition members soon started raising slogans demanding Pradhan's resignation and Birla reminded them that he has already assured them of a debate on the issue of paper leaks in accordance with the House rules.

He said the Question Hour is an important part of House proceedings where members can hold the government accountable and urged the opposition not to disrupt proceedings.

The Question Hour has not been completed on any of the five days so far. The Monsoon session ends on August 13.