New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has reportedly conveyed to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju that the proposed Delimitation Bill is "completely unacceptable" to the Congress Party. The remarks came during a meeting between the two leaders as the Centre sought support from the Opposition for key constitutional amendment proposals.

Rahul Gandhi Reiterates Congress Stand

According to reports, Rahul Gandhi made it clear that the Congress does not support the proposed Delimitation Bill in its current form. The meeting was part of the government's effort to break the political deadlock and gather support for legislation related to delimitation and the implementation of women's reservation

Despite the Centre's outreach, Congress has maintained that its position on the issue remains unchanged.

Government Continues Outreach

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met Rahul Gandhi as part of consultations with opposition parties on the proposed constitutional amendments. The discussions reportedly lasted around 50 minutes, but no consensus emerged. (The Economic Times)

The government is exploring the possibility of introducing the legislation during the ongoing Monsoon Session instead of convening a separate special session.

Congress to Respond After Internal Discussions

Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal confirmed that discussions had taken place with Rijiju regarding the Delimitation Bill. He said the party would deliberate internally before issuing any formal response, while reiterating that the Congress' overall position has not changed. (The Economic Times)

Delimitation Remains a Major Political Issue

The proposed delimitation exercise has become one of the most debated political issues in Parliament. Several opposition parties, particularly from southern states, have expressed concerns that redrawing parliamentary constituencies based on updated population figures could alter the balance of representation among states. 

The Centre, meanwhile, continues to engage with political parties in an attempt to secure the broad support required for a constitutional amendment. 

New Delhi: The Central Government has clarified that it has no plans to convene a special session of Parliament to introduce the Delimitation Bill or the Women's Reservation Bill later this month. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed reports suggesting that a three-day special session would be held between August 16 and August 18.

Instead, the government is considering introducing the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, provided sufficient political support can be secured.

No Proposal for Special Session

Speaking to the media, Rijiju said there is currently no proposal to summon a separate special session for the two key legislations.

His remarks came amid speculation that the Centre was preparing to call Parliament back after the Monsoon Session specifically to push the Delimitation Bill and legislation related to women's reservation.

Government Seeks Wider Political Consensus

Sources indicated that the government has initiated consultations with various political parties to build consensus on the proposed constitutional amendment.

As part of these efforts, Rijiju reportedly met Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders to discuss the possibility of supporting the legislation.

However, according to sources, the Congress has not extended its support at this stage.

Congress Yet to Finalise Its Position

Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal confirmed that discussions had taken place with the Parliamentary Affairs Minister regarding the delimitation proposal.

He said the party would deliberate internally before communicating its official position. According to Venugopal, the Congress and the broader Opposition continue to maintain their previously stated stand on the issue until further discussions are completed.

Opposition Continues Protest in Parliament

The political developments unfolded amid continued Opposition protests inside and outside Parliament over several national issues.

Opposition MPs held demonstrations within the Parliament complex, marching from the Gandhi statue while raising slogans and displaying placards. During the protest, leaders also highlighted other issues, including allegations related to the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation controversy.

Earlier Attempt Failed

The Centre had earlier convened a three-day special session in April, during which the proposed Constitutional Amendment relating to delimitation and allied legislation was discussed.

However, the government was unable to secure the required numbers to move the constitutional amendment forward, prompting renewed efforts during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

As discussions continue, the government is expected to engage with additional political parties in an effort to build the broad parliamentary support necessary for any constitutional amendment.

Parliament witnessed another day of political confrontation on Tuesday as Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held discussions with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on the proposed Delimitation Bill, while Opposition parties intensified protests over the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case and the July 20 action against protesters.

According to Congress sources, Rijiju met Rahul Gandhi in Parliament to understand the Congress party's position on the proposed Delimitation Bill. The meeting comes amid indications that the Centre is seeking wider political consultations before moving ahead with the legislation.

The discussion took place even as both Houses of Parliament continued to face repeated disruptions during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

Opposition Continues Protest

Leaders of the INDIA bloc, including Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and several Opposition MPs, marched from the Gandhi statue to Makar Dwar inside the Parliament complex, raising slogans against the government.

The Opposition demanded answers over the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft and sought a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament. Opposition parties also protested over the police action against demonstrators at Jantar Mantar on July 20, alleging excessive use of force.

Congress MP KC Venugopal accused the government of avoiding a discussion on issues raised by the Opposition and reiterated the party's demand for a debate in Parliament. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also called for accountability over the action taken against protesting students, saying those responsible for ordering the use of force should be identified.

Lok Sabha Adjourned Amid Uproar

The Lok Sabha convened at 11 am but was adjourned within minutes due to continuous protests by Opposition members. Proceedings resumed later in the afternoon before the House was eventually adjourned for the day.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha continued legislative business despite intermittent disruptions. The Upper House took up discussion on the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

Rajya Sabha Debates Judicial Reforms

Members across party lines supported increasing the strength of Supreme Court judges, while also highlighting broader concerns relating to judicial reforms.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh drew attention to the large number of pending court cases and argued that increasing the number of judges alone would not solve delays unless judicial infrastructure was also strengthened.

DMK MP P. Wilson advocated the establishment of regional benches of the Supreme Court, arguing that litigants from southern states continue to face difficulties in accessing justice due to the court's location in New Delhi.

JMM MP Mahua Maji stressed the need for broader reforms in the justice delivery system, while BJP MP Kesridevsinh Jhala described the proposed legislation as a necessary step to improve judicial efficiency.

Political Exchanges Continue

Outside Parliament, BJP and Opposition leaders exchanged sharp criticism over multiple issues.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj accused Rahul Gandhi of pursuing "politics based on allegations" and questioned the Congress party's stand on student-related issues.

Congress leaders, on the other hand, maintained that the government was avoiding discussions on issues raised by the Opposition, including the alleged donation theft case and recent protests.

Centre Pushes Political Outreach

The meeting between Kiren Rijiju and Rahul Gandhi is being viewed as part of the government's outreach to Opposition parties ahead of the proposed Delimitation Bill.

While details of the discussion were not officially disclosed, Congress sources said the minister sought to understand the party's views on the legislation before any further parliamentary steps.

With both legislative business and political protests continuing simultaneously, Parliament's Monsoon Session remains marked by frequent disruptions alongside negotiations on key pending Bills.

New Delhi: The Monsoon Session of Parliament witnessed another day of repeated disruptions on Wednesday as Opposition parties intensified their protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding a statement on the alleged police action during a recent protest march. Sloganeering, placards and protests forced both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to be adjourned several times before proceedings were suspended till 2 PM.

As Parliament convened for the day, Opposition members entered both Houses carrying banners reading "Amit Shah Jawab Do", demanding accountability over the alleged police action against protesters during the 'Chalo Sansad' march held on July 20. The protests disrupted Question Hour and legislative business almost immediately after proceedings began.

The Lok Sabha resumed briefly around 11 AM, but amid continued sloganeering from Opposition benches, the House was adjourned within a minute. The Rajya Sabha also witnessed similar scenes, with Opposition MPs raising slogans and demanding a discussion on various issues before it too was adjourned.

When the Rajya Sabha reconvened at noon, Chairman and Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan appealed to members to maintain parliamentary decorum. He warned MPs against entering the Well of the House or displaying placards during proceedings, stating that failure to follow parliamentary rules could invite disciplinary action.

"My humble request is that members should cooperate with the Chair. Do not enter the Well of the House or display placards. If these rules are violated, I may be compelled to take action," the Chairman said before the House was again disrupted by protests.

The Opposition has demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah make a statement in Parliament regarding the alleged use of force against demonstrators during the July 20 protest. Congress leader Pawan Khera said the Home Minister should respond to concerns raised by Opposition parties and clarify the government's position on the issue.

Khera also called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address Parliament on several other matters, including the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and allegations related to the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation controversy.

Outside Parliament, Opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several leaders from INDIA bloc parties, announced a protest march from the Gandhi Statue at Prerna Sthal to Makar Dwar. The march was organised to press for answers from the government over the alleged police action and other issues raised by Opposition parties.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders accused the Opposition of deliberately disrupting Parliament instead of allowing legislative business to proceed. BJP MP Jagdambika Pal criticised the Opposition for remaining silent on the alleged paper leak protests in Jharkhand while repeatedly disrupting Parliament over other issues.

According to Pal, the Centre has already addressed concerns raised by students on several occasions, and the continued protests inside Parliament are politically motivated. He questioned why Opposition leaders had not shown similar urgency regarding student demonstrations in Jharkhand.

The Monsoon Session also saw political exchanges over Article 370. On the seventh anniversary of its abrogation, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi described the removal of Article 370 as "unconstitutional" and criticised the delay in restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. While acknowledging the Supreme Court's verdict on the matter, Owaisi maintained that he personally disagreed with the manner in which the constitutional provision was revoked.

Congress leader and Telangana minister Mohammad Azharuddin also supported the Opposition's protest, saying Parliament is the appropriate forum for discussing such issues and that all senior ministers, including the Home Minister, should participate in the debate.

Despite repeated adjournments, the government is expected to take up several important legislative items during the day. In the Rajya Sabha, the Supreme Court (Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposing an increase in the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges to 38, is likely to be introduced for consideration after having already been cleared by the Lok Sabha.

The Lok Sabha's agenda also includes discussion on key legislative business, including the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill and the Taxation Amendment Bill, subject to normal functioning of the House.

With only a few sittings remaining in the Monsoon Session, continued disruptions have raised concerns over the limited time available for debate on pending legislation, even as both the government and Opposition remain firm on their respective positions.

Parliament is expected to witness another week of heated exchanges as the Monsoon Session resumes on Monday, with the Centre preparing to push several important legislations while the Opposition gears up to intensify its attack over multiple political issues inside and outside both Houses.

The government is expected to seek the passage of at least six key Bills, while Opposition parties have planned coordinated protests over issues ranging from the alleged "Chanda Chori" controversy to demands for statements from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Government to Push Key Legislation

The Centre is expected to take up several important Bills in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during the week.

Among the Bills likely to be considered are:

• Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Amendment) Bill

• Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill

• Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill

• Indian Statistical Institution Bill

• Bankers' Books Evidence Bill

• Appropriation Bill for Demands for Excess Grants (2022-23)

The Foreign Contribution Regulation (Amendment) Bill, though not part of the official legislative agenda, is also expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha later this week after being deferred during the Budget Session.

However, there is no indication that the proposed Delimitation Bill will be introduced during the ongoing session.

Opposition Plans Coordinated Protest

Opposition parties have finalised a joint strategy to keep pressure on the government by raising different issues both inside Parliament and through demonstrations outside the House.

Leaders are expected to continue targeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while also highlighting the alleged "Chanda Chori" issue related to donations linked to the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

The Opposition is also expected to renew its demand for a statement from Shah over the reported police action against protesting students, including allegations regarding the use of pellet guns.

BJP Prepares Counterattack

The ruling BJP has also stepped up its political response.

Senior BJP MP Anurag Thakur has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking breach of privilege proceedings against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over remarks made in the House.

The BJP has also criticised the Opposition's demonstration near Parliament's Makar Dwar, where Independent MP Pappu Yadav staged a symbolic protest portraying a priest allegedly stealing donation money while Rahul Gandhi joined the demonstration.

Opposition leaders have defended the protest, saying they will continue using "creative" methods to raise public issues.

More Bills May Come Up

Apart from the listed Bills, the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill has reportedly been circulated among Members of Parliament, indicating it could also be taken up during the week.

Meanwhile, the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill has already been passed by Parliament and has received the President's assent.

The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill and the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill have already been cleared by one House and are awaiting further legislative process.

High Political Stakes

With the government pushing ahead with its legislative agenda and the Opposition determined to keep politically sensitive issues in focus, both Houses are expected to witness frequent disruptions and sharp exchanges throughout the week.

The developments are likely to shape the remainder of the Monsoon Session, which is scheduled to continue until August 21.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the police action against protesters during the July 20 Parliament march, alleging that the crackdown could not have taken place without instructions from the home minister. Speaking to journalists in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dipke said he agreed with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who had made similar allegations a day earlier and sought Shah’s resignation. Dipke alleged that students protesting against examination irregularities were attacked and injured during the march and claimed responsibility for the action ultimately rested with the home ministry. His remarks come amid an intensifying political row over the handling of the July 20 demonstration and allegations of excessive force by security personnel. The allegations against Shah remain claims made by Dipke and Gandhi, and the material provided does not establish that the home minister personally ordered the police action.

Dipke also rejected allegations that the CJP received foreign funding, turning the charge back on the government. He argued that if an organisation was actually receiving foreign funds while Shah headed the home ministry, it would represent a failure of the ministry itself. The CJP founder went further, making serious allegations about the violence reported during the July 20 protest. He claimed Delhi Police had orchestrated stone-pelting to create grounds for action against demonstrators. According to Dipke, a truck carrying stones and a damaged vehicle were brought to the Jantar Mantar protest site to create the impression that police action had followed violence by protesters. He alleged that people associated with the BJP threw stones while students were subsequently blamed. These claims have not been established as fact in the information provided. Dipke also alleged that he and his family had previously received threats intended to pressure him into joining the BJP. He claimed his parents were threatened and that the family was told he should join the party or face consequences. The BJP has denied allegations that Dipke or members of his family were threatened.

BJP leader Keshav Upadhye hit back at Dipke, accusing him of turning the student agitation into a political campaign. Upadhye argued that the BJP-led government had responded to protesters’ demands by bringing legislation against paper leaks and accepting the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He said Dipke should have acknowledged those developments instead of engaging in politics and suggested that he join the Congress if he wanted to follow Rahul Gandhi’s political line. The confrontation comes days after Pradhan resigned following weeks of protests over examination irregularities that repeatedly disrupted central Delhi and gave the Opposition a major issue to target the government. His resignation followed large demonstrations in which students crossed police barricades during protests that became among the most significant street agitations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term. Since the July 20 Parliament march, security forces have faced allegations of using excessive force while dispersing demonstrators. Dipke’s decision to echo Rahul Gandhi’s demand for Amit Shah’s resignation has now pushed the controversy further into the political arena, with the CJP and Opposition questioning accountability for the police action while the BJP rejects the allegations and accuses Dipke of pursuing a political agenda.

A fresh political controversy erupted on Wednesday after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of authorising the use of force against students during the July 20 protest in Delhi. The remarks, made during the Lok Sabha debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, drew strong objections from the treasury benches and prompted an immediate response from the government. Gandhi alleged that the home minister had "ordered the students of India to be shot" and claimed that only the Prime Minister or the Home Minister could authorise such action. Referring to the alleged use of pellet guns during the protest, he argued that if Shah had not issued such an order, then he was unaware of what had happened on the ground. Gandhi also questioned the absence of the home minister from the House during the debate, saying he should answer the allegations.

The controversy gained further momentum after Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das backed Rahul Gandhi's claims and demanded accountability from the Union Home Minister. In a post on X, Das said Gandhi's remarks raised "serious concerns" about Amit Shah's role in the July 20 police action and called for an explanation from the Centre. He alleged that a student had permanently lost vision because of the police crackdown and said every life was valuable, adding that the home minister must answer questions surrounding the incident. The CJP's statement came days after the party ended its month-long protest following the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The student agitation over alleged examination irregularities has remained at the centre of political debate, with Opposition parties repeatedly accusing the government of using excessive force against demonstrators.

The BJP strongly rejected Rahul Gandhi's allegations, calling them baseless and unsupported by evidence. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju interrupted Gandhi's speech and asked him to produce proof for his claims. "You said the Home Minister ordered firing. Show the order," Rijiju said, demanding that the Congress leader withdraw his remarks and apologise. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also reminded members that serious allegations against individuals cannot be made in the House without prior notice and supporting evidence. Speaking to reporters later, Rijiju said the government was upset because Rahul Gandhi had focused more on political accusations than on the provisions of the anti-paper leak bill. He also clarified that ministers do not issue orders for police firing and that such decisions fall within the authority of the magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate present at the spot.

The exchange has once again brought the July 20 protest under the political spotlight. Reports citing a Delhi Police station diary entry have claimed that pellet rounds were used during the protest on the orders of a senior police officer, adding another layer to the ongoing debate. However, responding in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Jitendra Singh rejected Rahul Gandhi's allegations and asserted that no shots were fired during the protest. He said only tear gas had been used to control the situation and reiterated that orders to open fire, if ever required, are issued by the magistrate and not by a Union minister. With both sides standing by their positions, the controversy is expected to continue even after Parliament cleared the anti-paper leak bill, keeping the focus on the government's handling of the student protests as much as on the examination reforms themselves.

Parliament is set for another politically charged day on Thursday as the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 moves to the Rajya Sabha, a day after it was passed by the Lok Sabha following a heated debate over paper leaks and recent student protests. The Upper House is expected to take up the legislation around 2 pm, with nearly seven hours reportedly set aside for discussion. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Mukul Wasnik are among those expected to participate. The proposed law seeks to strengthen action against examination malpractices through tougher penalties for paper leaks, Special Task Forces and Fast Track Courts. The Lok Sabha cleared the legislation by voice vote on Wednesday after a marathon discussion that began Tuesday afternoon and continued until late in the evening before resuming the following day. The debate, however, was dominated as much by the political confrontation over the treatment of protesting students as by the provisions of the bill itself.

The political fight continued outside the House after BJP leaders rejected Rahul Gandhi's allegations concerning the July 20 student protest. BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra said no shots were fired at students and rejected Gandhi's allegation that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered firing. Patra argued that Gandhi had produced no evidence to support the charge and said decisions involving firing are taken by a magistrate rather than a Union minister. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also targeted the Leader of Opposition during his reply to the debate, accusing him of using unparliamentary language and failing to follow basic parliamentary norms. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Gandhi had earlier exchanged sharp words in the Lok Sabha after a remark made by the Congress leader while recounting a conversation with a student drew objections from the treasury benches. Speaker Om Birla subsequently expunged the expression. BJP MP Rahul Sinha, meanwhile, defended the government's handling of the student agitation, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi had understood the concerns of students and arguing that Congress had no right to lecture the government on paper leaks given similar incidents in Congress-ruled states.
Thursday's parliamentary agenda extends beyond the exam reforms bill. The Lok Sabha is scheduled to consider the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. Before taking up the legislation, the House is expected to discuss a statutory resolution moved by Opposition MPs seeking disapproval of the related ordinance promulgated earlier this year. Congress MP Manish Tewari has separately submitted an Adjournment Motion Notice seeking a discussion on a new anti-defection framework aimed at curbing mass political defections while preserving space for legitimate dissent. In the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala has sought suspension of business to discuss alleged misuse of donations connected with the Ram Mandir. The Upper House is also scheduled to consider the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026. With the Opposition continuing to raise questions over student protests and examination irregularities while the government pushes ahead with its legislative agenda, another stormy day is expected in both Houses of Parliament.

the Lok Sabha on wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by voice vote, clearing tougher provisions against paper leaks and the use of unfair means in public examinations. The legislation was approved amid loud sloganeering and repeated disruptions as the government and Opposition remained locked in a heated confrontation over the recent student protests and police action at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The amended law proposes a substantial increase in punishment for individuals involved in examination malpractice. Under the proposed provisions, the minimum imprisonment for individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means will increase from three years to five years, while the maximum punishment can extend to 10 years. A fine of up to ₹50 lakh has also been proposed. For organised crime linked to examination fraud, the legislation provides for tougher punishment and a fine that can go up to ₹10 crore, reflecting the government's attempt to target organised networks operating behind large-scale paper leaks.

The passage of the anti-paper leak bill came after a stormy debate that repeatedly moved beyond examination reforms and into the handling of recent student demonstrations. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of authorising the use of force against students during the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest at Jantar Mantar. His remarks triggered strong objections from the treasury benches and led to sharp exchanges inside the House. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju hit back at the Opposition, accusing Congress leaders of using the discussion on examination reforms to pursue a political agenda rather than concentrating on the provisions of the legislation. Opposition MPs continued raising slogans as the bill was taken up for passage. The confrontation came after days of political tension over examination irregularities and the student agitation, which had already dominated proceedings during the Monsoon Session. Opposition parties have argued that tougher punishment alone will not resolve problems within the examination system and have demanded greater accountability over alleged paper leaks and the police response to protesters.

The government, however, has maintained that the amendment is aimed at creating stronger deterrence against individuals and organised groups involved in compromising competitive examinations. By increasing prison terms and introducing significantly higher financial penalties, the Centre is seeking to make involvement in paper leaks far more costly. The legislation comes at a time when examination security has become a major political issue following protests over alleged irregularities and demands from students for broader reforms. The government and Opposition have differed sharply over who should be held responsible, but both sides have acknowledged concerns surrounding the credibility of public examinations. Wednesday's voice vote gives the proposed reforms an important legislative clearance in the Lok Sabha. The political confrontation surrounding the bill, however, showed little sign of easing. The Rahul Gandhi-Rijiju exchange, Opposition sloganeering and continuing questions over the handling of student protesters ensured that what was formally a debate over examination reform remained tied to the wider political battle over youth concerns, accountability and the government's response to the recent agitation.

New Delhi witnessed another heated day in Parliament on Wednesday as the debate over the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 brought the government and Opposition face-to-face over paper leaks, NEET-UG and the recent student protests. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said political parties must respect students’ right to expression and referred to the young protesters who had taken to the streets in recent weeks. He said he felt reassured by what the future of the country had demonstrated on the streets. The debate came after nearly a week of disruptions in the Lok Sabha and focused on proposed tougher punishment and faster trials in paper leak cases. Opposition MPs backed the concerns raised by protesting students and criticised the alleged use of excessive police force, while BJP-led NDA members argued that examination paper leaks were not limited to any single government or political party. They cited cases from the UPA years as well as Opposition-ruled states and maintained that the government was now working on broader examination reforms.

The debate soon moved beyond the provisions of the bill. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over police action during the student agitation. She asked who had authorised the alleged use of pellet guns against protesters in Delhi and referred to an incident involving an AK-47 in Bihar. Bihar Police had said that a constable fired in the air in self-defence. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also attacked the government, saying he had not witnessed the Emergency of the 1970s but had seen a glimpse of it in Delhi the previous week. The issue created uproar in the Rajya Sabha as well, where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and BJP president JP Nadda clashed over police action during the July 20 protest. Nadda maintained that action against those taking law and order into their own hands was part of normal policing, while the Opposition continued demanding a response from the home minister. DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, meanwhile, pushed the debate in another direction by demanding that NEET itself be scrapped. He argued that increasing punishment for people involved in paper leaks did not address what his party considered the fundamental problems with the national medical entrance examination.

The government accused Opposition parties of turning a discussion on examination reform into a wider political confrontation. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s speech, said he hoped the Congress leader would address the actual provisions of the bill instead of focusing mainly on unrelated political issues. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya accused the Opposition of wrongly assuming that young protesters were politically aligned with it, while Anurag Thakur described paper leaks as a serious threat to the future of the country’s youth. Defending the proposed amendment, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said paper leaks had occurred in national and state-level examinations under governments belonging to different parties and should therefore not be viewed only through a political lens. The proposed legislation seeks more stringent punishment for individuals, organised gangs and entities involved in examination leaks, along with provisions aimed at delivering speedier justice. The debate also spilled into controversy over Pralhad Joshi, who was given additional charge of the Education Ministry following Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation on July 25 amid the student protests. By Wednesday afternoon, what began as a debate on an anti-paper leak law had expanded into a larger political battle over NEET, student protests, police action and government accountability, keeping examination reforms at the centre of Parliament’s Monsoon Session.

Government pushes key legislative agenda as House likely to vote on anti-paper leak law after nearly nine hours of debate

The Lok Sabha is set to continue discussions on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 for a second consecutive day, with the government expected to seek its passage after an extended debate that lasted nearly nine hours on Tuesday.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh will move the motion for consideration and passage of the Bill, which seeks to strengthen legal provisions against paper leaks and examination-related malpractice. The proposed legislation amends the 2024 law, with the Centre stating that stricter provisions are necessary to restore public confidence in the country's examination system.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi is expected to address the Lok Sabha on the Bill at around 12:30 pm, with the debate likely to witness another round of sharp exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches over examination reforms and accountability.

Several key Bills on House agenda

Apart from the anti-paper leak legislation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to introduce the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will also introduce a Bill proposing an increase in the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court. The House is additionally expected to table several ministry-related reports and statements on parliamentary committee recommendations.

If passed in the Lok Sabha, the anti-paper leak Bill is likely to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha later this week.

Opposition finalises strategy

Ahead of Wednesday's proceedings, leaders of the INDIA bloc met under the leadership of Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to coordinate their floor strategy.

Congress leaders raised multiple issues, including electoral reforms, the anti-defection law, alleged financial irregularities in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Trust, and the Cauvery water dispute. The Opposition is also expected to question the government over repeated examination irregularities and the effectiveness of the existing legal framework.

Debate over effectiveness of previous law

The Opposition has argued that repeated paper leak incidents exposed weaknesses in the current system despite the enactment of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav questioned the government's record, alleging that several paper leak cases occurred under the BJP-led administration and demanding details of arrests and prosecutions under the existing law.

The government, however, maintains that the amendment is intended to further tighten enforcement and close loopholes identified after recent examination controversies.

Background: NEET controversy prompted reforms

The push for stronger legislation follows the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, which led to nationwide protests and widespread criticism of the examination process.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the original examination and conducted a re-test following allegations of a question paper leak. The controversy triggered demonstrations by students across several states and intensified demands for stricter safeguards against organised examination fraud.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently probing the case. According to official information shared in Parliament, 13 people have been arrested so far, and the agency is expected to file its chargesheet shortly.

The proposed amendment seeks to strengthen legal provisions to deter organised paper leak networks, safeguard competitive examinations, and improve transparency and accountability in the examination system.

Dev said NCPI has aligned with the NDA because it recognises Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its leader, and that the party does not consider Rahul Gandhi its leader — which, she said, is precisely why it has come to the NDA's side. She called it the party's own decision. Dev pushed back against those criticising the move, arguing that no one should comment on the matter until the Lok Sabha Speaker actually rules on it, since a decision from the Speaker's office is still pending.

Turning to the question of defections more broadly, Dev said she wanted to respectfully put a question to Rahul Gandhi. She pointed to the merger of BRS MLAs into the Congress in Telangana, noting that the Speaker in that case took two years to issue any decision — a delay that eventually forced BRS to approach the courts. She asked what Rahul Gandhi's position was on that episode, framing it as a case where the same principle now being invoked against NCPI had gone unaddressed for far longer when it worked in Congress's favour.

Dev's remarks came after the NDA parliamentary group's regular weekly meeting, held Tuesday at Parliament House. The gathering marked the first time MPs who had recently broken away from Trinamool Congress and merged with NCPI attended in person, following the invitation extended to the party ahead of the Monsoon Session.

The comments add another layer to the ongoing dispute over NCPI's political status, with its formal recognition question still sitting before the Lok Sabha Speaker even as its MPs continue attending NDA-aligned meetings in practice.