Paper Leak Debate: Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 (The Anti-Paper Leak Bill) was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, initiated the discussion on the bill. Kharge triggered a storm in the Lower House by invoking Manusmriti to attack the government.
Uproar Over Manusmriti
During his speech in the Rajya Sabha, the Leader of the Opposition's comments about Manusmriti sparked controversy, drawing a sharp reaction from the Leader Of the House, JP Nadda. Leader of the House urged the chair in Raya Sabha to expunge Kharge's remarks against 'Manusmriti', saying it can create unrest in society.
Kharge alleged that Manusmriti promotes casteism in education, to which the ruling MPs fiercely objected. As Congress president alleged that Manusmriti promotes casteism in the field of education, a huge uproar broke out in the Rajya Sabha. Opposition MPs began chanting "Mafi mango", while members of the ruling party sought the original copy of the Manusmriti.
The Speaker, CP Radhakrishnan, intervened by saying that Kharge's comments on Manusmriti would be expunged from the record.
Education Should Not Be The Prerogative Of A Few: Kharge
Kharge said that 152 examination papers have been leaked in a few years, but not a single one has been punished. What was the government doing? Were the agencies asleep? Education is not the prerogative of a few, he added. "Educational institutions are controlled by the RSS. Education should account for six per cent of the budget, but it is less than three per cent," Kharge asserted.
"You say that good teachers and good Vice Chancellors should come to universities. But the syllabus you are changing also includes the following: If a Shudra hears the recitation of the Vedas, his ears should be filled with glass and zinc. If he recites a Vedic mantra, his tongue should be cut off. This is the RSS syllabus. I condemn such ideas. Such material should be removed from the syllabus. Universities are being filled with RSS members. The UPA government implemented the Right to Education Act to ensure equal education for all," the Congress president alleged.
Authenticate The Text Of The Manusmriti: Nadda Hits Back At Kharge
Seeking the original copy of the Manusmriti, the Leader of the House slammed Kharge, saying that what Kharge said is beyond his knowledge. Authenticate the original text of the Manusmriti, he demanded. As a heated argument was underway, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi jumped in and rejected the Congress leader's claim on Manusmriti.
Will Drag Amit Shah To People's Court: Kharge
Attacking Home Minister Amit Shah, Kharge demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for pellets and lathis used on students protesting on July 20 at Jantar Mantar.
“You (Shah) may be listening to me from behind closed doors, but you cannot remain hidden for a long time. One day, we will drag you out to people's court,” he said.
"Amit Shah Sahib is not visible at all. He expresses his views on small matters, why he doesn't come forward on this issue, I don't know. Even the PM is not opening his mouth. You are the Home Minister, you look after law and order, and you are not opening your mouth even when there is so much chaos in Delhi. Have you got stitches on your mouth?," he said.
(With Jagran/Agencies inputs.)