Parliament Stalls as Government Faces NEET Protests and Consumer Crackdowns

The Monsoon Session of Parliament, scheduled through August 13, 2026, has seen immediate disruptions as opposition members protest the NEET-UG examination crisis. Led by Mallikarjun Kharge, the opposition is demanding accountability for paper leaks affecting over 2.2 million students. Tensions have spilled into the streets, where police used tear gas and lathi charges against members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) marching toward Parliament. Additionally, protests are mounting over allegations of embezzlement at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, following a Supreme Court-submitted SIT report revealing administrative corruption.

The capital is also witnessing agitation regarding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, led by the National Conference. Simultaneously, activist Sonam Wangchuk continues an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, joined by diverse groups demanding systemic education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Delhi High Court is currently reviewing a petition regarding invasive police surveillance of these protesters, highlighting a tense standoff between civil society and security agencies in the capital under Section 163 restrictions.

Amid this political turmoil, the Central Consumer Protection Authority has launched a national crackdown on 41 restaurants for illegally levying service charges without explicit consent. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has warned that violators will face stringent penalties, forcing chains like Chaayos and Barbeque Nation to update billing systems. While the government attempts to balance these consumer rights mandates with the intense political pressure from the NEET and Ayodhya controversies, the legislative agenda—including the Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill—remains stalled as officials seek to mitigate national dissatisfaction.