Ruckus by opposition in Rajya Sabha over Paper Leak, proceedings adjourned for the day

On the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament on Monday, opposition members created a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha over the issue of the leak of NET UG exam papers and did not allow the proceedings to continue, due to which the House had to be adjourned for the day after five adjournments at 2:30 pm.

After five adjournments, when the proceedings resumed for the sixth time, Deputy Chairman Harivansh appealed to the opposition members, who were shouting near the Chair on the paper leak issue, to allow the House to function according to the agenda. He said that no business had been transacted in the House since morning, and requested the members to return to their seats and let the House function.

He said, "I request all of you to create an atmosphere for the House to function. This is the Upper House, let's maintain its dignity and follow the rules." However, the members did not heed his appeal and continued to raise slogans, following which the Deputy Chairman adjourned the House for the day.

Earlier, the proceedings had to be adjourned five times on the same issue. The opposition had launched a protest on the paper leak issue and the alleged lathi charge on students and other activists protesting at Jantar Mantar since morning.

Chairman CP Radhakrishnan had tabled essential legislative documents on the table of the House and allowed Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to speak after other legislative business.

Mr. Kharge said that the NET UG paper scam was a matter of students and the future of lakhs of children was attached to it. He said that thousands of students had come to Jantar Mantar but were lathi-charged. He said, "The government is trying to suppress. The government is trying to crush."

As soon as Mr. Kharge said this, the Chairman adjourned the House till 12 pm. The opposition members started speaking loudly on the issue, but by then the Chairman had announced the adjournment of the proceedings.

After that, the House had to be adjourned for the second time till 12:30 pm, for the third time till 12:50 pm, for the fourth time till 2 pm, and for the fifth time till 2:30 pm on the same issue.

Thus, on the first day of the monsoon session, no legislative business could be transacted and the entire proceedings were disrupted due to the ruckus.

Earlier, as soon as the House proceedings began in the morning, the Chairman administered the oath of membership to nine newly elected members. The House paid tribute to the late members and the former Emir of Qatar and observed a two-minute silence.