As the Centre prepares to introduce a Bill in the Parliament next week calling for harsher punishment in paper leak cases, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju warned the Congress that it will "fall into a trap" if the Opposition continues the disruption of Parliamentary proceedings.
His reaction came after the first week of the Parliament's Monsoon Session witnessed major disruptions as the Opposition, in view of the students' agitation, kept the condition of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation before allowing any discussion in the House.
Speaking to reporters within the Parliament complex, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Rijiju said: "We could not discuss the NEET exam paper leak in Parliament. Even today, we appealed once again... Rahul Gandhi himself was present in the House, and we urged him to allow the discussion to begin immediately. The Congress party has now shown that it is actually not interested in a discussion."
Earlier on Friday, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi claimed that his microphone was "switched off" in the House and that he was not given the opportunity to speak.
Union Minister Rijiju said: "I think that now there is no use of politicising this issue, instead we should work towards taking major steps and ensuring a proper system for strengthening the future of the students. That has to be our priority."
He emphasised that disrupting the Parliamentary procedure of the House will not yield any results.
"I would like to request Rahul Gandhi and all other Opposition members that better sense should prevail, you cannot indefinitely create trouble in the Parliament to prevent discussion," he added.
Responding to questions over the proposed Bill to deal with exam malpractices, the Union Minister said: "We are preparing the Bill for Monday....The Prime Minister has said that there should be no delay in the Bill that we are bringing for the students."
In a warning to the Opposition, Union Minister Rijiju said: "The country also wants what the Prime Minister has said, so it would not be right to resort to any tactics to obstruct it...Congress will fall into trap if they continue to disrupt the Parliamentary proceedings. We are taking important steps for the future of the students. If the Congress party continues to create all kinds of hurdles to prevent Parliamentary discussion, then they will have to face the brunt of the youth of this nation and, in fact, the entire nation."
