Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said that several Opposition parties, led by the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, have submitted a notice under Rule 267 seeking the suspension of listed
business to hold an immediate discussion on the alleged police action against student protesters, the detention of Opposition leaders, and the NEET issue. What is Rule 267? News18 explains
WHAT IS RULE 267?
Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha Rules of Procedure empowers a Member of Parliament (MP), with the consent of the Chairman, to move a motion to suspend the day’s pre-decided, listed business to hold an immediate debate on a matter of urgent public importance.
Suspension of Agenda: If the Chairman approves and the motion is carried, all scheduled daily proceedings (such as Question Hour and Zero Hour) are set aside.
Urgent Focus: It is designed specifically to force the government to address unforeseen, immediate crises affecting the country.
Discretion of the Chair: The absolute power to accept or reject a Rule 267 notice rests with the Rajya Sabha Chairman, who typically allows it only on “rarest of rare” occasions.
THE OPPOSITION’S DEMANDS
During the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, multiple Opposition MPsissued notices under Rule 267 to halt standard operations, triggering a legislative deadlock.
The Opposition is demanding a transparent parliamentary debate over the systemic failure, cancellation, and paper-leak network surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which has disrupted over 22 lakh candidates.
Led by Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, the opposition insists that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan must resign before any discussion takes place to ensure fairness.
Fresh notices were submitted to address alleged “use of excessive force” by the Delhi Police against peaceful student protesters during a march to Parliament.
Opposition leaders claim that senior politicians, including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, were manhandled, pushed around, and dragged on the roads by police personnel during the demonstration.
MPs like Sanjay Singh (AAP) and Syed Naseer Hussain (Congress) expanded their notices to address widespread failures in public examination systems, CBSE’s on-screen marking errors, and the deteriorating health of fasting climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
WHAT DID THE GOVT SAY
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Leader of the House J.P. Nadda stated that the Centre is fully prepared to discuss the NEET paper leak and student concerns.
The government argues that the timing and format of the debate should be determined by the Chair through collective consultation, accusing the Opposition of creating excuses and destroying parliamentary dignity through continuous disruptions.
Because the Opposition refuses to back down on their demand for the Education Minister’s resignation and their insistence on Rule 267, both houses continue to face daily adjournments.
