Lok Sabha clears exam bill by voice vote amid row over Rahul Gandhi's shooting charge

The legislation was passed amid Opposition sloganeering after a stormy exchange over Rahul Gandhi's remarks on police action against student protesters. Introduced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh on July 27 following the CJP-led protests that forced Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, the Bill now awaits passage in the Rajya Sabha.

In Short

• Bill prescribes up to 10 years' jail, Rs 50 lakh fine
• Bill passes after Rahul Gandhi accuses Amit Shah of ordering shooting
• Bill follows weeks-long protests over alleged NEET paper leak

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' 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.

Welcoming the passage of the legislation, newly appointed Education Minister Pralhad Joshi said on X that the amended law would usher in a stronger legal framework to tackle examination malpractices.

RAHUL GANDHI VS GOVERNMENT

The Bill's passage came after a heated debate in which 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 of 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."

Gandhi's remarks drew sharp protests from the Treasury benches, with NDA MPs demanding that he back his allegations with evidence. They also sought an apology, prompting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to remind him that unsubstantiated allegations cannot be made in the House.

Responding to the Leader of Opposition, Union Minister Singh rejected Gandhi's allegations as "factually incorrect", asserting that no bullets were fired and no order to open fire was 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. Singh also dismissed Gandhi's claim that Amit Shah travelled with a convoy of 30 vehicles.

WHY THE BILL WAS BROUGHT

The legislation comes in the wake of a 36-day nationwide agitation against the alleged NEET paper leak led by the CJP, which began at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on June 20 and gathered momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk joined an indefinite fast on June 28.

The movement reached a flashpoint on July 20 when police stopped protesters marching towards Parliament, triggering allegations of excessive force, including claims that pellet guns were used against students.

While the Delhi Police has denied using pellet guns, the CRPF has not publicly responded to allegations involving the Rapid Action Force.

The protests ended on Saturday (July 25) after the government accepted several key demands of the agitators, including the resignation of Pradhan, "maximum possible compensation" for families of NEET paper leak-related suicide victims, and withdrawal of all FIRs filed by Centre and state governments.

- Ends