The Lok Sabha witnessed a stormy debate with repeated disruptions over Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's allegation that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had authorised the use of force against students during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026 by voice vote, approving sweeping changes to the anti-paper leak law that prescribe stricter punishment of up to 10 years of imprisonment and a Rs 50 lakh fine for offenders.
The legislation was passed amid sloganeering by Opposition parties following a stormy exchange over Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the police action against student protesters last week.
The Bill, introduced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh on July 27 days after large-scale student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) forced Dharmendra Pradhan to resign as education minister, now awaits passage in the Rajya Sabha. It seeks to establish fast-track courts in every state to exclusively try paper leak cases and mandates that investigations be completed within two months.
Besides enhancing punishment for individuals found guilty of leaking examination papers, the Bill also targets organised paper leak syndicates with penalties of up to Rs 10 crore.
Amit Shah ordered shooting on students, alleges Rahul
The passage of the Bill was preceded by a heated debate where Gandhi alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had authorised the use of force against students during the CJP's protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. “The Home Minister ordered the shooting on our students. He put pellets into the blood of our students. He ordered the students of India to be shot,” Gandhi said, adding that “the use of force can only be authorised by the Minister or the Prime Minister”.
Rijiju demands evidence
The remarks sparked protests from the Treasury benches with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju demanding evidence and BJP-led NDA MPs accusing the Congress MP of making baseless allegations. Replying to the debate, Union Minister Jitendra Singh rejected Gandhi’s allegations as “factually incorrect”, saying no bullets were fired and no order to open fire had been issued during the protest.
He said only tear gas had been used and clarified that an order to open fire can only be issued by a magistrate, not by the police. He also dismissed Gandhi's claim that Amit Shah travelled with a convoy of 30 vehicles.
Bill on Vande Mataram cleared in Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a Bill to make insult to national song Vande Mataram a criminal offence. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed with a voice vote. The proposed legislation seeks to make desecration of or disrespect towards the country’s national symbols, including the national flag, Constitution and national anthem, a criminal offence, with a provision of up to three years of imprisonment.
As soon as the House convened in the post-lunch session, following two back-to-back adjournments earlier in the day, Deputy Chairman Harivansh urged protesting members to maintain decorum.
When the Chair took up the discussion on the Bill that was listed for consideration and passing in the list of business, Opposition parties continued to protest and shouted slogans. They were seeking a response from Amit Shah over police action against students. Harivansh went ahead with the proceedings of the House despite the protests. The Opposition staged a walkout when Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale was speaking on the proposed legislation.
In his reply to the Bill, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the Congress is trying to insult the country’s honour by opposing Vande Mataram. He said Vande Mataram is needed for the promise of “Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat”.
Follow us
