Parliament Highlights: Shashi Tharoor Questions Anti-Paper Leak Bill's Emphasis On Penalties Over Prevention; Both Houses Adjourned

Monsoon Session Live: Lok Sabha was adjourned after a long day of discussion over the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. The House will resume on Wednesday 11 AM.

Monsoon Session Live: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said that the law must be stricter, but the focus should not be on punishing failure but preventing it.  

Monsoon Session Live: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has expunged the part of Priyanka Gandhi's speech where she had targeted Education Minister Pralhad Joshi over his remarks on the release of the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case in 2022.  

Monsoon Session Live: BJP MP Anurag Thakur, while speaking in the Lok Sabha over the anti-paper leak bill, tried to assure the House that the PM Modi-led government will end the menace of exam irregularities and paper leaks, while comparing it to terrorism with Indian youth as victims. He said just like Naxalism and Terrorism, the government will end paper leaks and exam irregularities. 

"Exam irregularities and paper leaks are no less dangerous than terrorism or Maoism; our youth are the primary victims. I want to assure the youth of our country that we will find a definitive solution to this ‘paper leak’ problem. Just as the Modi government has provided solutions and remedies for every other challenge, we are going to resolve this issue as well. This country suffered for decades due to the tyranny and wounds inflicted by terrorism and Naxalism. It was the Modi government that worked to heal those deep wounds. We are the ones who have eradicated terrorism and Naxalism from the root, and we will do the same to eliminate the problem of paper leaks," he said.

Parliament Live Updates: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the discussion has begun, and all opposition parties have raised a single demand: to know the source of the orders behind the barbaric manner in which the Delhi Police and various central agency personnel beat and assaulted the youths on July 20th.

To get answers to these questions, we have repeatedly demanded in the House today that Home Minister Amit Shah come and address the House, he added.

Parliament Live Updates: A meeting is underway between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, Kiren Rijiju and Piyush Goyal at the Parliament, hours after a showdown with the Opposition leaders in the Lok Sabha.

Parliament Live Updates: On the statement of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the focus should be on the Bill. Regarding the subject of education reform, which she and several others have politicised, he said, adding that the Speaker has also directed that the focus remain on the Bill. On the statement of Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, he said Pralhad Joshi ji stood up and spoke about this in Parliament.

Monsoon Session Live: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MP Supriya Sule has demanded the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee to investigate the alleged use of pellet guns during the recent anti-NEET paper leak protests in Delhi.

Monsoon Session Live: Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, while speaking during the debate on the anti-paper leak bill, asked Home Minister Amit Shah to answer the Opposition's question on alleged brutality of police against protestors in Delhi. She highlighted the use of AK-47 in Bihar, Pallet guns, nail-studded batons, and lathis in Delhi.

Monsoon Session Live: Speaking to the media outside Parliament, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi lashed out at Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, calling him 'most filthy'. "After all, these young people were protesting about the education system and so many girls are protesting. They've been beaten. Then the BJP puts up a man who's a defender of rapists. That's the most filthy type of man. There can be no filthier man than somebody who says that rapists need protection. That is the Education Minister of India," he said.

Monsoon Session Live: While leaving Parliament, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi said, "What kind of way is this of putting women in the forefront? I'm doing the authentication right now. I've sent it. There is a video. I will provide them with the documents following the proper procedure."

Monsoon Session Live: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi urged the government to make a system overhaul if it wants to stop paper leaks. She also demanded accountability over alleged police excesses. She said, "What was the need to unleash pellet guns and AK-47s on the country’s youth? Were they terrorists?...Who gave the order to use pellet guns?... Was it the Prime Minister? Was it the Home Minister? They must answer. The entire nation is asking. It is not just the Congress party; the entire nation is demanding an answer"

Monsoon Session Live: Lok Sabha erupts in chaos after Priyanka Gandhi Targeted education minister Pralhad Joshi over his alleged welcoming statement on the release of the accused in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case. The Speaker asked her to make careful statements whiel BJP demanded an apology and authentication of the claim. 

Monsoon Session Live: Shiv Sena MP Srikant Shinde targeted Congress during anti-paper leak bill debate in Lok Sabha. He emphasised that the party avoided attending Jantar Mantar protest for 37 days. He added that party started agitation after feeling of Missing In Action, Feeling Of Missing Out And Delulu (Delusional).

Monsoon Session Live: DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran reiterated his party's stand of opposition to NEET. He cited diversity across the nation, saying NEET is systematically against the poor. 

Monsoon Session Live: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee slammed the government, alleging their model is 'Privatise Responsibility, Nationalise Credit And Socialise Failure '. Seeking accountability, he also questioned why an amendment was needed within two years of the original act. 

Monsoon Session Live: As soon as TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee started his address in the Lok Sabha, a brief ruckus erupted. However, the chaos ended, and Banerjee listed cases of paper leaks, exam irregularities and raised the issue of zero convictions in cases being probed by the CBI.

Monsoon Session Live: Rajya Sabha was adjourned till Wednesday 11 AM. 

Monsoon Session Live: After Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju referred to the Emergency during Akhilesh Yadav's address, the Samajwadi Party chief hit back, saying a similar situation had recently been witnessed in Delhi. He added that no one experienced electric shock back then, but this time they did.

Monsoon Session Live: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav raised the issue of the demolition order regarding Jauhar University, saying that no public university was built and a private one built is being bulldozed.

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, while speaking in the Lok Sabha, praised the new generation for protesting against the government. He further questioned why examination papers got leaked even after a strict law was passed back in 2024.  

While questioning the intent of the opposition, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj stated that multiple examination papers got leaked during the previous Congress-led UPA government. 

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj asserted that the current NDA government has taken several steps to transform the education sector of the country. She stated that the number of medical and engineering colleges has significantly increased in the past decade. 

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, while speaking in the favour of the Anti-paper leak bill in the Lok Sabha, stated that the bill is brought to provide justice to the students, further calling the bill "transformative". 

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi slammed the centre for the alleged use of excessive force by the police against the protesting students. He pointed out that the authorities used pellet guns, AK-47 guns and tear gas against the protesters. 

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, in his speech, stated that the protesters came forward to fight their battle after the NEET paper got leaked. While referring to the alleged brutality by the Delhi Police, Gogoi stated that the students continued to fight despite facing severe challenges. 

While criticizing the government over paper leaks, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday questioned the role of RSS in appointment of higher officials in the education department. 

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, while speaking during the discussion in the parliament, slammed the ruling MPs for giving a grand welcome to Dharmendra Pradhan, former Education Minister.  

While speaking on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that the government has taken several steps to safeguard the welfare of students. "This bill, which was introduced yesterday, is, in fact, an amendment to the earlier bill- Public Examinations Prevention of Unfair Means Act 2024, which was also brought by this government. And not only brought, it was perhaps the first of its kind in the history of independent India," Singh said.

"The earlier Bill and the amendment today are, in a way, reaffirmation of this government's deep commitment to safeguard the welfare of the students and the youth of this country. And at the same time, it is also a reiteration of Prime Minister Modi's resolve- not to allow anyone to compromise with the future of the children of Mother India. Therefore, this bill can be described, in a way, as a milestone legislation in the history of Indian Parliament," he added.

Minister of State, PMO, Jitendra Singh started the debate on the anti-paper leak bill, tabled by him on Monday. During his speech, Jitendra Singh listed the paper leaks during UPA governments, triggering an uproar by the opposition members.   

The Lok Sabha proceedings have begun after being adjourned till 2 pm amid a ruckus by the opposition members. The house will now take up the discussion on the Anti-paper leak bill, tabled by the Centre on Monday. 

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday alleged that the opposition parties have hijacked the parliament, adding that they have no empathy for the students. "Whether it is Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, or other opposition parties—they have hijacked the House," Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.

"They have no empathy for the students. When the issue first arose, around May 3rd, the Prime Minister immediately ensured the exam was conducted and the results declared; no one lost an academic year. Subsequently, a new law is being introduced, a fast-track mechanism is being established, and the promises made to student representatives have been fulfilled," he added.

The discussion on the NEET paper leak and alleged use of excessive force against the protesting students will be held from 2 pm. However, a heavy ruckus is expected as the opposition MPs are likely to demand an explanation from Home Minister Amit Shah.

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Tuesday stated that Home Minister Amit Shah should provide explanation regarding the alleged excessive use of force against the protesters in Delhi and other cities. "The fundamental issue concerns the events of July 20, 2026, the use of batons and pellet guns, and the viral video showing a police officer chasing protesters while armed with an AK-47," Tewari was quoted as saying by ANI.

"This is a matter of grave concern because the Constitution of India grants every individual the right to express their views, assemble, and protest peacefully. However, when the government attempts to suppress such actions with such brutality, it becomes the responsibility of Parliament to discuss the matter, condemn it strongly, and demand an explanation from the Home Minister. Indeed, this is precisely what the Opposition has stated this morning," he added.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera on Tuesday urged Home Minister Amit Shah to make a statement over the alleged excessive use of police force against the protesting students. "We have been repeatedly urging the Home Minister to come to the House and make a statement. There must be a discussion regarding the use of pellet guns and AK-47s against young people; the Home Minister needs to make a statement on this, Khera was quoted as saying by ANI.

"As I mentioned, we have been raising our voices on this for several days, but the government is acting with arrogance. What is the problem with the Home Minister coming and responding to this? What is the issue with him making a statement? What is the problem with the Prime Minister apologising? There shouldn't be any issue," the Congress MP added.

Bihar Assembly LoP Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday criticized the government for alleged use of excessive force against the protesting students. "This is the government's responsibility. Once the Government of India made the commitment and reached an agreement that all cases would be withdrawn, the Bihar government ought to honour that as well. However, it was only under pressure from us that they issued this letter. This letter must be implemented with immediate effect, as stipulated; otherwise, an agitation is inevitable," Yadav was quoted as saying by ANI.

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Tuesday assured that the MPs from all the parties will participate in the discussion. "I'm given to believe that the House will function from 2 pm onwards where the Bill will be taken up and, everybody will participate in the discussion," the Congress MP was quoted as saying by ANI.

Azad Samaj Party-Kanshiram President Chandrashekhar Azad on Tuesday stated that discussion should be held in the parliament to reach to any solution. He further asserted that the centre must provide answers regarding the use of excessive police force against the protesters. "I believe there should be a discussion. I am a proponent of dialogue. Through dialogue, solutions can be found. We will also get an opportunity to raise the reforms we want. We have been discussing many such reforms outside, but there has been no accountability," Azad was quoted as saying by ANI.

"Discussions are happening in the media and during protests, but the real discussion needs to happen before the government. The government must answer. Young people are unemployed, and imposing such penalties on them is not right...They say the discussion will begin after 2 PM today. Let it continue all night if necessary, but accountability must be ensured. We are certainly in favour of a discussion, but during that discussion, answers must be provided regarding the firing of shots—why were the children of our own country subjected to such mistreatment and violence?" he asked.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, along with the other party MPs, staged a protest at the parliament against BJP. The SP chief alleged that over 20 examination papers have been leaked during the NDA government.

Rebel TMC MP and NCPI leader Saayoni Ghosh stated that her first NDA meeting was very informative, adding that the anti-paper leak will be discussed today. "Today I participated in the NDA meeting for the first time and it was a very enriching and very informative meeting. Prime Minister was present there, Home Minister was there, other ministers were also there," Ghosh said.

"Parliament is going to convene after six days... The youth of the country, the students of the country is the pride, and the way they came forward, raised the issue of paper leak, NEET. With this they have given a message to the entire country that the Republic is alive in India and the government has come forward. The government also got a chance to bring this bill," she added.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday suggested the opposition MPs to participate in the discussion to send a positive message to the country. "Let the House function; let there be discussion and dialogue, and let everyone's views be expressed. Let a positive message go out to the entire country that discussion and dialogue take place in Parliament," Birla said. 

The proceedings of the Lok Sabha got adjourned till 2 PM on Tuesday after the opposition continued to create ruckus over the alleged use of excessive police force against the student protesters. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated that all the parties have agreed for a discussion, adding that the proceedings will begin at 2 PM. 

Congress MP Imran Masood on Tuesday alleged that the atmosphere in the country has changed and the younger generation will not be swayed with the divisive policies. "The atmosphere in the country has changed. The Hindu-Muslim narrative will not work anymore. You cannot sway this new generation, Gen Z, with Hindu-Muslim rhetoric," Masood was quoted as saying by ANI.  

The NDA MPs, after participating in the parliamentary meeting, staged a protest at the parliament against the alleged paper leak in Punjab, currently ruled by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). 

While speaking on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, Congress leader Nana Patole stated that while the bill needs to be discussed, the BJP must ensure that the rules are being implemented. "The bill certainly needs to be discussed. But my primary question is this: laws already exist in the country; provisions for a 10-year prison sentence were in place before and remain so today," Patole was quoted as saying by ANI.

"There is nothing new about that. A bill was passed in 2024, and now they are bringing another one in 2026. The fundamental issue is that you failed to implement the laws you had already enacted. A widespread trend of paper leaks emerged in the country under the BJP government…we have now come to question their intentions," he added.

Former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reportedly did not take part in the parliamentary meeting of the NDA, chaired by the prime minister. As per the reports, Pradhan is currently on Odisha visit to participate in a local RSS meeting. 

Congress MP K Suresh on Tuesday stated that the Congress will participate in the discussion over the paper leaks. He further asserted that the grand old party will expose the corruption behind such paper leaks.

"Congress Party is actively participating in the debate, and the INDIA bloc coalition parties are also participating in today's debate. We have to expose the corruption in the NEET examination and other examinations. They have opened the door to corruption and are protecting the people involved in corruption in NEET and other examinations. The government's failures and the involvement of BJP leaders in different parts of the country in paper leaks will be exposed during the debate," Suresh was quoted as saying by ANI.

After a week of adjournments and ruckus, the monsoon session is set for the first day of detailed discussion over the issues related to the paper leaks. The government is expected to respond to the objections raised by the opposition and is also likely to discuss the changes proposed to strengthen the laws.

While addressing the media on the NDA Parliamentary Party's 'Mangal Milan' meeting, TMC MP Saugata Roy objected to the participation of the NCPI MPs, by asserting that they won the polls as a TMC candidate. "The NCPI MPs won the election as a Trinamool Congress candidate; they won by displaying Mamata Banerjee's photograph and by opposing the BJP. They have betrayed the party. They left the party, and the MPs won by opposing the BJP are now joining them. What can one say about such betrayal?" Roy asked. 

Ahead of the seventh day of the monsoon session of the parliament, NDA parliamentary party's 'Mangal Milan' meeting was held on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other leaders attended the meeting.

The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is likely to raise the issues of the opposition over the recent NEET paper leak and the alleged police brutality against the protesters. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, amid the demands from the opposition, is expected to speak on the issue in the Lok Sabha and also address the issues raised by the opposition MPs.

After days of disruptions, the opposition is likely to participate in the discussion over the bill brought to strengthen the anti-paper leak laws.