BJD Members Stage Protest Against Alleged NEET Irregularities in Rajya Sabha

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: Odisha’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha members staged a protest on Friday against alleged corruption in the NEET examination.

Senior BJD leader and Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra highlighted the issue on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the MPs demanded a discussion on the corruption and irregularities in NEET, which have impacted millions of students nationwide.

Patra detailed that the MPs initially protested by standing at their seats and later moved to the front of the House, demanding a debate. When their demands were ignored, they intensified their protest by moving to the well of the House.

Protesting the corruption and irregularities in #NEET exam, affecting the lives of millions of students in India, the Biju Janata Dal Rajya Sabha MPs in Parliament today protested; standing up in their respective places and then moving to the front of the House and further…

— ଡ଼ଃ ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର I Dr. Sasmit Patra (@sasmitpatra) June 28, 2024

The BJD MPs also targeted the BJP-led government, voicing the concerns of students and parents from Odisha affected by the NEET examination issues. Patra noted that they went to the well of the House twice during their protest.

In a related incident, MP Phulo Devi Netam fainted during the protest, prompting calls for adjournment, which were ignored by the Rajya Sabha chairman. Consequently, the entire Opposition walked out in solidarity.

Notably, the BJD did not secure any Lok Sabha seats from Odisha in the recent general elections. Post-elections, BJD president and former chief minister Naveen patnaik had urged Rajya Sabha members to vocally oppose BJP’s policies.