Gaurav Gogoi interview: ‘Why is PM Modi unwilling to change education minister?’
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Asad Rehman
The Monsoon Session of Parliament faced immediate disruption on its opening day due to massive protests over the NEET paper leak and Ayodhya temple donation theft. Security forces clashed with tens of thousands of demonstrators in Delhi, while legislative business remained stalled except for a bill to increase Supreme Court judges.
Parliament Monsoon Session Paralyzed by Nationwide Protests
The Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced on July 20, 2026, under an atmosphere of intense political volatility. The opening day was marred by immediate and persistent disruptions in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, effectively stalling the legislative agenda. Opposition members, including representatives from Congress, the Samajwadi Party (SP), and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), abandoned decorum to troop into the Well of the House, signaling a unified front against the government on multiple fronts.
The Catalyst: NEET and Ayodhya Controversies
At the heart of the parliamentary deadlock are two highly sensitive issues: the alleged NEET paper leak and the reported theft of donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Opposition has framed the NEET crisis as a systemic failure affecting the academic futures of millions of students, demanding accountability from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Concurrently, the mention of the Ram Temple donation theft has introduced a volatile religious and administrative dimension to the protests, further complicating the government's ability to maintain order within the chambers.
Escalation on the Streets of Delhi
Outside the legislative complex, the tension manifested as a massive public uprising. Tens of thousands of protesters, primarily organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), descended upon Lutyens’s Delhi. The security situation deteriorated rapidly as demonstrators attempted to breach barricades at multiple strategic locations, including Ashoka Road and Raisina Road. Law enforcement agencies were forced to deploy lathicharge, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse the crowd, reflecting the severity of the public sentiment regarding the alleged educational irregularities.
Legislative Stasis and Strategic Splits
Despite the chaos, the government attempted to push through a critical legislative move. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced a Bill to replace an existing Ordinance, which aims to increase the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38. This move highlights the government’s intent to address judicial backlogs even amidst political turmoil. However, the session’s productivity was severely hampered, with the Lok Sabha facing six adjournments before being called off for the day.
Fragmented Opposition Dynamics
Interestingly, the protest landscape is not entirely monolithic. While the major Opposition parties coordinated their disruption efforts, the DMK notably skipped the Congress-led strategy meeting, choosing instead to focus on the Mekedatu water-sharing issue. Additionally, internal tensions were visible within the Trinamool Congress, as evidenced by the strategic re-seating of rebel MPs. These nuances suggest that while the Opposition is united in its desire to corner the government on the NEET issue, regional interests and internal party fractures continue to shape the broader political narrative.
Future Implications and Trends
Looking ahead, the administration faces a delicate balancing act. If the protests continue to gain momentum, the government may be forced to either offer a formal statement on the NEET issue or risk a total washout of the Monsoon Session. The escalation of street violence in Delhi suggests that public frustration is reaching a boiling point. As the session progresses, the government's ability to pass the Supreme Court expansion bill and other pending legislation will depend largely on its willingness to negotiate with an increasingly emboldened Opposition.
Multiple Citing Sources