NEW DELHI: The opposition parties led by the INDIA bloc with 236 MPs and joined by parties including the Biju Janata Dal (joining the protests for the first time) caused repeated disruptions in Parliament Friday over the NEET paper leak issue, while the government was keen to stick to convention and discuss the President’s speech. Both the houses were adjourned for the day without transacting much business apart from the Rajya Sabha taking up the Motion of Thanks for the President's address. 

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that Zero Hour and adjournment motions are not permitted during the debate on the President's speech. Birla said that during the main debate, any topic might be brought up, including NEET. The Lok Sabha was first adjourned minutes after it assembled at 11 am, and then when it reassembled around noon, it was adjourned till Monday amid the opposition's demand for a discussion on the issue. As opposition parties walked into the well of the House and surrounded the officials’ table, the speaker adjourned the Lok Sabha for the day.

In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge rushed to the well of the House along with all opposition floor leaders creating a pandemonium. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, declared, "This kind of ignoble conduct will hurt every Indian and put this institution to shame." Having been elected, we now have the distinction of belonging to the upper house or the elders' house. It is very awful if we behave in such an unruly manner in this house.

Later on, speaking to media persons, Kharge said: “I would like to tell the Rajya Sabha Chairman that his step-motherly treatment towards the Opposition today has “tainted the history of Indian Parliament.”