In December 2025, the government ensured a 10-hour special debate in the Lok Sabha on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the extended version of the poem it wanted to adopt as the national song. Last year also saw the Lok Sabha devote 12 hours to debating the provisions of the Waqf Bill. However, on the NEET-UG paper leaks, the youth unrest and the crisis in education, it seems reluctant to devote as much time.

Reacting to the Opposition's demand for a debate on the subject, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju has said the government is ready for a discussion, but with a rider. It wants to decide under which rule the debate will be held.

Rule 176 allows for a short-duration discussion lasting two to two-and-a-half hours. Under Rule 267, all other business is suspended to discuss an issue of national importance. The Opposition wants the discussion under Rule 267, but the government has not yet agreed, which is why Parliament has remained stalled for the past three days and no........

© National Herald