New Delhi [India], July 23 : A direct face-off broke out between NDA and INDIA bloc MPs inside the Parliament premises on Thursday, as both sides staged simultaneous demonstrations over separate issues at Makar Dwar.
While Opposition members protested against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the NEET paper leak controversy, NDA parliamentarians demonstrated against the oppposition's rigid stance on not discussing the issue in Parliament and accusing them of spreading fake news.
Tensions flared when CPI(M) MP John Brittas was seen pulling a poster from the hands of BJP leader Arun Singh. With MPs from both camps standing face-to-face, Parliament security personnel stepped in and formed a human chain to keep the two groups apart. Slogans were also exchanged between Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and BJP leaders during the face-off.
Speaking on the clash, BJP MP Sambit Patra accused the Congress of "fleeing" from parliamentary debate, citing discussions held between senior BJP leaders, students, and activist Sonam Wangchuk over the past three days.

"You can see the kind of scenes unfolding outside Parliament today--and this is not a one-off incident. The Congress repeatedly creates such scenes outside Parliament and uses black clothes, banners, and posters inside the House to waste precious parliamentary time. The Congress Party flees from discussing the issues that actually need debate. Look at the sequence of events over the last two to three days: our leaders spoke to students as well as Sonam Wangchuk. A single consensus emerged--that there must be an in-depth discussion on the issue of exam paper leaks, and stringent laws must be enacted on the floor of the House so that the recurring paper leaks and the hardships faced by examinees over the years can be effectively contained. But the Congress does not want a debate in Parliament; it only wants to play politics," Patra said.
Echoing similar sentiments, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi stated that the ruling coalition is fully committed to addressing the grievances of students and discussed the government's latest policy measures.

"Today, we BJP and NDA MPs stood outside Parliament to demand that a debate on NEET and the education system take place inside the House--a debate the Congress is attempting to block. The BJP and NDA government is completely sensitive to this matter. The Prime Minister clearly stated today that nothing is more important than the interests of students, and he expressed his firm resolve to ensure strict punishment for the guilty. It is precisely for this reason that the decision to set up fast-track courts was taken today," Trivedi added.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued his first response to the ongoing agitation, emphasising the importance of the youth's future and announcing that fast-track courts will be set up to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi stated that those involved in compromising the future of the youth "will not be spared," adding that relevant authorities have been directed to take all necessary steps.
"Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared," PM Modi wrote.
Reacting to the Prime Minister's remarks, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the central government, refusing to back down on the NEET paper leak issue.
Accusing the government of protecting those responsible for systemic failures in the education system, Gandhi wrote on X: "You are the one who has harmed the future of our youth the most. You allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of our education system--and protected every person responsible for it."
Reiterating the Opposition's demands, Gandhi called for the immediate dismissal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and an official apology to students.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also criticised the Prime Minister, accusing him of avoiding direct debate in Parliament.
"The PM does not have the courage to stand up in Parliament, speak, and engage in serious debate like all his predecessors did when the occasion demanded. This morning, he has put out a social media post to show that he is concerned with the issues being raised by students across the country. Actually, the post demonstrates that he is shaken and rattled. Vote Chori, Seat Chori, Chanda Chori, Exam Paper Chori... the list goes on and on," Ramesh posted on X.
Meanwhile, widespread protests continued at Tolstoy Marg and Janpath in the national capital, as activists and students pressed on with their demonstration against the Centre over exam paper leaks and systemic issues in education.
Protesters raised slogans against the BJP, the RSS, and the Delhi Police. As the demonstration escalated, several protesters attempted to block moving traffic, with some allegedly throwing water bottles onto the road. Others lay down on the roadway, causing significant traffic disruptions.
Speaking to ANI, a protester from Bihar said he had been participating in the demonstration for nearly a month and would continue to join the agitation at Jantar Mantar until their demands were met.
"I am from Bihar and have been in Delhi for at least a month. As long as the protest at Jantar Mantar continues, I will keep coming here. My point is that the police are drawn from the public--the duty of the police is to serve the people. But are they serving the public? If they wanted to hold a dialogue, it would have happened long ago. But do these police officials sit down and talk to us? They do not. Whenever Modi feels cornered, he turns to Hindu-Muslim rhetoric. Our demand right now is clear: a paper leak has taken place, and Dharmendra Pradhan must resign," he said.
With the issue dominating the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, further disruptions and heated debates are expected as House proceedings continue on Thursday.