Paper leak amidst strict vigilance, passed in Lok Sabha amidst opposition sloganeering

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday approved the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, through a voice vote amidst disruptions and heated exchanges between the ruling party and the opposition. The debate on the bill, which lasted over 10 hours spanning two days, saw intense arguments between the two sides over a "non-parliamentary" word used by Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi and allegations against Home Minister Amit Shah, prompting the House to be adjourned twice.

When the proceedings resumed at 3 pm, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh replied to the debate, following which the House approved the bill through a voice vote. Members of the Congress and other opposition parties continued to raise slogans during Singh's reply. During Gandhi's speech, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju objected to Gandhi's comments against the Home Minister, saying "he should either confirm it or apologize."

The Speaker, Om Birla, adjourned the proceedings first until 2:30 pm and then until 3 pm amidst the din. Replying to the debate on the bill, Singh said the opposition leader had used a non-parliamentary word, asking if it was meant for students. He expressed surprise that the opposition leader was not aware of the basic system of public life. Singh, who also holds the portfolio of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, had introduced the bill in the House.

Singh said Gandhi had claimed that protesters were shot at and the order was given by the Home Minister. He said no shooting took place and the protesters were handled with utmost restraint. Orders to fire are given by a magistrate, not a minister, he said, adding that it was clear Gandhi lacked knowledge of public life. Singh also disputed Gandhi's claim that the Home Minister's convoy had 30 cars, saying it was an incorrect fact.

He clarified that the Home Minister had never gone abroad and it did not behoove the opposition leader to make irresponsible statements. Singh said Gandhi had sat on a sudden protest outside the Prime Minister's residence on July 21 and had refused to budge when persuaded, saying he would not move and should be removed. He said Gandhi had eventually left with his dignity bruised.

In this context, Singh recited a couplet: "We left your street with our dignity bruised, our desires were not fully met, but we still left." Singh said during the debate, Congress member Gaurav Gogoi had said that atrocities were committed against protesters. Singh said during the Congress rule in Assam, atrocities were committed against protesting students, and a large number of students were killed.

Perhaps, he said, Gogoi had said this with that in mind. Singh said Congress member Priyanka Gandhi had spoken about 152 instances of paper leaks and how crores of students and their families were affected. He said he did not know where Priyanka Gandhi got these figures from.

He spoke about the expansion of educational facilities during the Modi government's tenure, saying the number of All India Institutes of Medical Sciences had increased from seven to 20. The number of government medical colleges had risen from 387 to 844, and medical education seats had been increased in large numbers.

Singh said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the paper leak incident very seriously." Orders for an investigation were given to the Central Bureau of Investigation as soon as the paper leak was reported. The accused were arrested and are in jail. This bill reflects the government's seriousness and sensitivity towards paper leaks. The punishment and fine for the accused have been increased significantly.

After the minister's reply, the House approved the bill through a voice vote amidst slogans by the opposition. The Speaker adjourned the House proceedings until 11 am on Thursday. It was the eighth day of the Monsoon Session, and this was the first bill to be passed in the Lok Sabha during the session.