New Delhi, 24 July (H.S.):

The deadlock between the government and the Opposition over a discussion in Parliament on the NEET question paper leak issue continues, with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi making it clear that the Congress will not compromise on its three key demands.

Rahul Gandhi said the party is firm on its demands, which include the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, action against those responsible for police action against students, and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the affected students.

Speaking to reporters on Friday at the Parliament premises, Rahul Gandhi said that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had asked him to allow the discussion to take place. However, he claimed that when he was trying to respond, his microphone was switched off and he was not given an opportunity to speak.

Rahul Gandhi said the Opposition’s stand was clear. He stated that the first demand was that the Education Minister, who is responsible for the alleged corruption in the matter, should step down from his position. The second demand was that those who allegedly attacked students must face action and accountability should be fixed. The third demand was that the Prime Minister should apologise to the students.

He said the issue was not merely political but directly linked to the future of students, and asserted that the Congress would not compromise on these demands.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar