Parliament set to break deadlock
Anti-paper leak Bill returns after repeated adjournments over protests demanding accountability
The logjam in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which continued on Monday, is likely to end on Tuesday, according to sources. “All political parties have agreed to discuss the anti-paper leak bill on Tuesday. Following Om Birla’s initiative and sustained dialogue, floor leaders of political parties have agreed to commence discussion on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026,” sources in the Parliament said on Monday.
The Government on Monday introduced the Bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the anti-paper leaks law with stricter punishment of up to 10 years in jail and Rs 50 lakh fine, days after nationwide student protests over the NEET fiasco that led to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as education minister.
Lok Sabha could not take up the Bill as a relentless Opposition continued its protest seeking a response from the Government on the police action against protesting students.
The proposed legislation was introduced by Minister of State for PMO, Jitendra Singh amidst protests and sloganeering by the Opposition demanding a response from the Government over the police crackdown on the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led July 20 protest march to Parliament. However, no discussion could take place on the Bill as the Opposition refused to relent from its demand.
Birla gave the Government and the opposition parties a three-hour window to settle differences so that a discussion on the Bill could begin in the House. Birla said six hours have been allocated to discuss the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, adding that more time can be given based on the sense of the House. He said the members are elected to the Lok Sabha to discuss Bills, and not to raise slogans.
Similarly, Rajya Sabha too failed to transact any legislative business on Monday — the sixth day in a row since the start of the Monsoon session — as the Opposition created uproar and demanded Amit Shah’s statement and accountability from Union Minister for Home Affairs, Amit Shah, over the issue of police action against protesting students on paper leaks.
The Upper House witnessed four adjournments before it was finally adjourned for the day a few minutes after 5.15 PM. Raising the issue of alleged atrocities on protesting students, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge alleged the police action on them was unprecedented and sought a statement from the Home Minister and his accountability. “It has never happened in history of India that boys were beaten... and they were gagged by pellets,” Kharge said.
Since the Monsoon Session began on July 20, the Opposition has taken up the NEET paper leak issue due to which no legislative business could be taken up so far, except for the introduction of two Bills.
As the Lok Sabha reassembled at 5 pm after multiple adjournments during the day, opposition members continued sloganeering amid calls by the chair to discuss the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill as the matter pertained to the future of crores of youth.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said several members, including those from the Opposition, were prepared to participate in the debate but the Congress and “some of its friends” were causing disruptions and not allowing a debate. The chair then adjourned the House for the day.
