BJP leader Anurag Thakur said in the Lok Sabha that the government wants to create a “foolproof system" for exams. He also attacked the Opposition for delaying the debate on the amendment to the anti-paper leak law.

Expressing his "amazement" at Pralhad Joshi being picked as Education Minister after Dharmendra Pradhan had to resign from the post, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has said the BJP has put its faith in someone who is a "defender of rapists".

Joshi, a five-time Lok Sabha MP who is one of the most experienced ministers in the Narendra Modi cabinet, was the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister in 2018, when 11 men serving life terms for raping Bilkis Bano and killing her family during the 2002 Gujarat riots were granted early release.

Defending the decision, which had prompted massive outrage, Joshi had said the convicts had spent "quite some time" in prison and there was a provision for their release.

"When the government and the concerned people have taken the decision, I don't find anything wrong in it as it is a process of law," he had told NDTV.

Priyanka Gandhi's remark that Pralhad Joshi, the new education minister, had expressed happiness over the release of those convicted of raping a pregnant woman, triggered a furore in Parliament.

Joshi said the Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi should authenticate her statements, calling them misinformation.

"Priyanka ji should have authenticated her statements. Action should be taken regarding the misinformation being spread. Can one simply say anything and get away with it?... I refute these allegations. She should be expelled and must apologise," Joshi said.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attacked the new Education Minister, Pralhad Joshi, calling him a "defender of rapists".

"Education Minister of India - the BJP puts a man who is a defender of rapists. That is the most filthy type of man. There can be no flithier man than somebody who says that rapists need protection. That is the Education Minister of India today. It's a strange reaction from the PM, that there are so many people in his cabinet, he could have chosen anyone of them. But he chooses a person who protects rapists. Quite amazing!" he said.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the government has hollowed out India's education system by filling it by RSS functionaries.

"They have hollowed out our education system by filling it with RSS pracharaks. They further complicated matters by forcibly establishing the NTA and centralising the system. Instead of increasing year by year, the share of the education budget in the country’s total budget is actually declining," she said.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asked the government who authorised the use of pellet guns on protesting students.

"Home Minister Amit Shah must answer who authorised the use of pellet guns on protesting students," she said in the Lok Sabha.

"The education system has developed flaws. The exam system has failed. Not a single mafia member has been punished," said Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday attacked the government over the students' protests in Delhi.

"What was the need to use pellet guns on the country's youth. Were they terrorists," she asked in the Lok Sabha.

Speaking on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee said all students deserve fair examinations.

"Every student deserves the assurance that examinations should be fair. Every parent deserves the confidence that success is determined by hard work, talent, and integrity, not by money, influence, or organised criminal syndicates. But support for this Bill cannot be a substitute for accountability. A stronger law is necessary, yes, but by itself, it is not sufficient. If examinations continue to be compromised by systematic failures, no amendment, however stringent, will restore the faith that millions of students have lost...The Bill that is being discussed is not a solution. Rather, this Bill is an admission. It is an admission that the NDA and the BJP government have failed. It failed to protect examinations. It failed to protect students. It failed to protect merit. Today, after this failure has exploded across the country, it wants Parliament to believe that increasing punishment will erase 12 years of incompetence. This government has mastered one art: whenever governance fails, they change the law; whenever administration collapses, they increase punishment; whenever institutions fail, they announce another committee. But governance is not done through headlines. Governance is measured by outcomes. So, what is the outcome, Sir? Paper leak after paper leak. Exam cancellation after exam cancellation"

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj accused the Opposition of displaying "selective outrage" over examination paper leaks, saying such incidents also happened during the Congress-led UPA regime and asserted that the Modi government had undertaken structural reforms to strengthen the examination system.

Participating in the debate on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday, she said: "It's a transformative amendment. It's not just necessary but the need of the hour. It shows the responsible approach of the Modi government".

Swaraj alleged that the Opposition was trying to create a narrative that paper leaks started happening only after 2014, when the BJP-led NDA came to power at the Centre.

"This is not about whataboutery but about calling out the Opposition's selective outrage. Principles cannot change depending on which government is in power," she said.

"You sacked Pradhan to save Pradhan Mantri (Prime Minister)," Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday took aims at the Centre on the issue of NEET paper leaks and resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as education minister.

Speaking in Parliament during the discussion on the Bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the anti-paper leaks law, the SP MP said that the students protest forced the government to bow down and accept the demands.

Applauding the students for the protest, Akhilesh said that what started with a joke evolved into a nationwide movement, which even forced the government to think democratically.

" I complement the students on their movement. They have turned even this government democratic as they had to allow the protest. We have seen times when this government didn't even let people protest," Yadav said.

"Sarkaar bhi jhukti hai, jhukane wala chahiye (Government too bows down if its faced with a tough opposition)," he added crediting the students with forcing the government to listen.

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee took potshots at the government, saying it considers every protest a conspiracy.

"Over the past two months, millions of young people have taken to the streets in different parts of the country, asking the government numerous questions. The government responded with batons and barricades...this government considers every protest a conspiracy," he said.

Akhilesh Yadav attacked the government over Ram Temple donation theft.

"They couldn’t stop chanda chori (donation theft), how will they stop paper leaks," he said.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said in Parliament on Tuesday that the government removed Dharmendra Pradhan to save Pradhan Mantri (Prime Minister).

"The government must be relieved that they saved their Prime Minister by removing Pradhan," he said.

"I hope the government will accept all the demands made by the youth," he added.

"The government bows down, but it needs someone to make it bow down," he said.

Day 7 of Parliament showdown: Anti-Paper Leak Bill debate
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi questions pellet gun firing in Delhi, AK-47 use in Bihar pic.twitter.com/NEE4I3JAqG

— NDTV (@ndtv) July 28, 2026

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday said students were compelled to take to the streets over the NEET paper leak issue and urged the government to understand their pain instead of dismissing their concerns. 

Delhi: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi says, "Now, I want to place before the House the current status of the investigation into the 2024 NEET-UG paper leak. So that the country can understand how serious this government is about the massive corruption that took place in the NEET… pic.twitter.com/lfXgEWoEDn

— IANS (@ians_india) July 28, 2026

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the student protests against alleged paper leaks had received the support of parents, who sent their children to participate because the issue concerned their future.

Day 7 of Parliament showdown: Anti-Paper Leak Bill debate
Parents sent kids to protest with blessings as it is about their future: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on youth stir against paper leak in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/VJymDIHnB0

— NDTV (@ndtv) July 28, 2026

Delhi: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi says, "Before starting the discussion on this bill, I want to draw your attention to the floods that occurred in Assam and the deaths of around 70 people there. From this House, with a heavy and saddened heart, I request the Central Government to… pic.twitter.com/Fb7Aso76nT

— IANS (@ians_india) July 28, 2026

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticised the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, calling it an "eyewash" and alleging that the anti-paper leak law reflected the government's failure to effectively deal with examination irregularities. 

He also accused the government of being unserious about education reforms, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was asking ministers to focus on Instagram.

Day 7 of Parliament showdown: Anti-Paper Leak Bill debate
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi hits out at Dharmendra Pradhan, says 'paper leak law example of government's failure' pic.twitter.com/R9MkUQvu7R

— NDTV (@ndtv) July 28, 2026

#WATCH | Union Minister Jitiendra Singh lists the paper leaks during the UPA; he says, "...In 2009- Railway Recruitment Board; 2011- All India Engineering Entrance Examination; 2012- AIIMS New Delhi entrance paper leak; 2013- Maharashtra Secondary Certificate Examination. If I… pic.twitter.com/joPU7ejQGg

— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2026

#WATCH | On the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, Union Minister Jitiendra Singh says, "This bill, which was introduced yesterday, is, in fact, an amendment to the earlier bill- Public Examinations Prevention of Unfair Means Act 2024, which… pic.twitter.com/Xu9MI76YBb

— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2026

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that recommendations made by the NTA in 2010 were not acted upon by the then Congress-led government. He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had completed the "unfinished business" by taking steps that Congress failed to undertake during its tenure.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh lists paper leaks under UPA government and said the leaks were rampant in UPA era.

Day 7 of Parliament showdown: Union Minister Jitendra Singh leads debate on Anti-Paper Leak Bill, lists paper leaks under UPA government pic.twitter.com/GOO6NQn9WS

— NDTV (@ndtv) July 28, 2026

Anti-paper leak Bill debate: Congress demands debate on pellet gun use; Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju hits out at Opposition MPs pic.twitter.com/uIVGfuqgg7

— NDTV (@ndtv) July 28, 2026

The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026’ taken up for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha.@DrJitendraSingh @OfficeOfDrJS @sansad_tv #MonsoonSession2026 #ParliamentSession #LokSabha #ParliamentOfIndia #18thloksabhasession…

— LOK SABHA (@LokSabhaSectt) July 28, 2026

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said the Opposition is "very likely" to participate in the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha, stressing that Parliament must address the concerns of students and ensure that their voices are heard during the discussion.

His remarks came after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced earlier in the day that the House would take up the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill for discussion at 2 p.m.

Speaking to reporters, Tharoor welcomed the possibility of the Opposition participating in the debate and said it was important for Parliament to resume normal functioning while engaging in a meaningful discussion on issues affecting students across the country.

"I think it's a very important debate and I think now the Opposition seems very likely to participate in this debate, which I'm very encouraged by because I think we need to get Parliament back on track. The voices of the children of India must be heard in Parliament, and many of us feel a responsibility to raise some of these issues," Tharoor said.

The Congress leader said the Opposition would closely examine whether the proposed legislation adequately addresses concerns over examination paper leaks and whether the government's measures would be sufficient to protect students' interests.

(IANS)

Monsoon Session of the Parliament | Rajya Sabha adjourned to meet again on 29 July, 2026 at 11:00 am pic.twitter.com/CeBFh6k4we

— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2026

Live Telecast of #LokSabha resumes.@loksabhaspeaker @ombirlakota @sansad_tv#MonsoonSession2026 #ParliamentSession #LokSabha #ParliamentOfIndia #18thloksabhasessionhttps://t.co/PQSHQFA9So pic.twitter.com/ze5ieHVoeF

— LOK SABHA (@LokSabhaSectt) July 28, 2026

Lok Sabha proceedings adjourned till 2 pm amid protests by opposition

Congress members have submitted notices in both houses of Parliament on Tuesday demanding an urgent discussion on the alleged use of force against students protesting over the NEET paper leak issue.

This comes as a bill introduced by the Centre in the Lok Sabha to strengthen the anti-paper leak law with stringent punishments is likely to be taken up for discussion on Tuesday.

Congress MPs Randeep Surjewala and Syed Naseer Hussain have moved notices under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha, while deputy leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi and Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari have moved adjournment notices in the lower house demanding suspension of the listed business to take up the discussion on the important issue.

The Congress has been demanding accountability from Home Minister Amit Shah on the police action against students. They are also asking him to make a statement in Parliament over the alleged use of pellet guns and batons against the protesting students.

"That this House do suspend Zero Hour and the relevant rules relating to Question Hour and other businesses of the day for an immediate discussion on the reported assault on peacefully protesting students in Delhi on 20 July 2026, the use of lathi-charge, tear gas and pellet guns, the alleged assault on women students and journalists," the notices said.

(PTI)

#WATCH | Delhi: Congress MP K Suresh says, "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… pic.twitter.com/12WHOJJ1GF

— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2026

#WATCH | Nagpur, Maharashtra: On the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, Congress leader Nana Patole says, "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… pic.twitter.com/KTSRld38nF

— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2026

Floor leaders of various opposition parties will hold a key strategy meeting here on Tuesday at 10:00 AM in the office of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, at the Parliament House.

The meeting of the opposition INDIA bloc leaders aims to chalk out a unified floor strategy and coordinate their approach across both Houses of Parliament--the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha--for the day's proceedings.

The meeting comes as the deadlock continues in Parliament over the NEET paper leak controversy. The Monsoon Session has seen regular adjournments as the Opposition continues its demand of discussion on police action against protesting students across the country.

Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh on Monday introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha.

(ANI)

The BJP-led NDA's weekly Parliamentary Party meeting, 'Mangal Milan', is underway in Parliament, with the newly-formed Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) invited to attend for the first time. 

Former Trinamool Congress leaders now with the NCPI, including Sudeep Bandopadhyay, Kakoli Ghosh and Shatabdi Roy, are expected to participate in the meeting, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address alliance MPs. 

The gathering comes amid a stormy Monsoon Session marked by debates over exam reforms and Opposition protests over alleged police action against students.

#WATCH | Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and other leaders arrive at the… pic.twitter.com/dHb6rSoU28

— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2026

#WATCH | Delhi: NDA Parliamentary Party's 'Mangal Milan' meeting beings at the Parliament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other leaders attend the meeting. pic.twitter.com/mJKUkKo1fu

— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2026

#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and other leaders arrives at the Parliament to attend the NDA Parliamentary Party's 'Mangal Milan' meeting. pic.twitter.com/63y0sGHdgj

— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2026