New Delhi, July 23 -- Several Opposition members staged a protest near the Makar Dwar on the Parliament premises on Thursday, reiterating their demand for the dismissal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amid nationwide protests over exam paper leaks.

Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi also joined the Opposition MPs in the demonstration.

Meanwhile, parliamentarians from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) held a counter-protest against TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, who was suspended from the House after making objectionable remarks against two women MPs.

The developments come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued his first response to the ongoing agitation, emphasising the importance of the ...