Heat, monsoon deficit push power demand in Haryana; irate villagers stage protests over outages

Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah within Parliament on Tuesday as tensions escalated over the alleged leakage of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam papers. The meeting took place amid growing unrest outside the parliamentary complex, where protesters affiliated with the Citizens' Justice Party (CJP) demanded accountability for the incident. The NEET controversy has become a focal point of the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, which began under turbulent conditions with the Opposition raising concerns over governance and transparency. Protests erupted early in the session as lawmakers from multiple parties voiced their grievances over the NEET paper leak, which they claim undermines the integrity of medical admissions in the country. The Education Ministry, which oversees the National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting NEET, has come under scrutiny. As the situation unfolded, security forces deployed around Parliament faced challenges managing the demonstrations, which included calls for justice and reforms in the education system. Meanwhile, the government sought to maintain order while addressing the allegations. The Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, was adjourned until 2 p.m., following sustained protests and interruptions. In the Lok Sabha, the lower house, the Question Hour was disrupted, leading to an adjournment until 1 p.m. The session had already begun with a contentious atmosphere, marked by the introduction of a bill aimed at increasing the number of Supreme Court judges. Law Minister Arjun Meghwal presented the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, seeking to permanently raise the court's sanctioned strength to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. This came amid heightened political discourse surrounding judicial independence and the need for systemic reform. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the use of force against peaceful protesters, questioning the rationale behind the lathi-charge employed by law enforcement. He emphasized that non-violent demonstrations should not be met with aggression, stating that such actions contradict the principles of democratic engagement. Tharoor further highlighted the importance of allowing the Opposition to voice its concerns, arguing that Parliament must serve as a platform for dialogue rather than a tool for unilateral decision-making. His remarks underscored the broader debate over the functioning of legislative bodies and the balance of power between the ruling party and the Opposition. The Monsoon Session has also witnessed developments beyond the NEET controversy. With the Opposition gaining momentum, there have been reports of increased strategic coordination among dissenting members. The crossing over of 37 Opposition MPs to the ruling bloc has brought them closer to achieving a special majority required for constitutional amendments, including proposals related to delimitation and the implementation of a "One Nation, One Election" model. These moves have intensified the stakes of the parliamentary proceedings, with key decisions expected to shape the nation's political landscape. As the session progresses, the focus remains on resolving the NEET issue and ensuring that the judiciary can operate independently and effectively. The government faces mounting pressure to address the concerns raised by citizens and lawmakers alike, particularly regarding transparency and accountability in critical sectors such as education and law. With the Monsoon Session set to continue for three weeks, the coming days are likely to bring further developments that could influence public perception and policy direction.