Rahul Gandhi addressed a press conference shortly after his remarks from the Parliament were expunged (@INC/X)Questioning the use of pellet guns against students protesting the alleged NEET paper leak, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanded that Home Minister Amit Shah be sacked over the police crackdown. Gandhi said Shah was either “culpable or incompetent” in the police response against protesters during the Parliament march on July 22. Either Shah ordered that students be shot with pellet guns and beaten with lathis with nails or he was unaware, Gandhi said. “Either way, he has to go,” the Congress leader added.
Earlier in the day, the remarks of Gandhi, who’s the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, were expunged. Gandhi said he was asked to apologise and was repeatedly denied permission to continue his speech in the Lok Sabha despite Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh being allowed to speak. He claimed he was told he could resume speaking if he apologised, but said, “I will never apologise to the BJP or the RSS.”
The government’s tougher anti-paper leak Bill cleared the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after the House gave its assent to the legislation by a voice vote. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 sets a two-month deadline to complete the investigation into paper leak cases. It has increased the punishment for individuals involved in unfair means, including paper leaks, from three to five years in the 2024 Act to five to 10 years. The fine, earlier set at Rs 10 lakh, has been hiked to Rs 50 lakh. If the crime is found to be organised, the Bill proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore. In the draft legislation, 15 illegal acts, including leaking question papers, tampering with OMR sheets, creating fake websites and issuing fake admit cards, have been listed as offences.
Rahul Gandhi hits out at Shah: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks against Home Minister Amit Shah have been expunged. Addressing media, Gandhi said, “I have simply asked a question. There can only be two possibilities. Either the Home Minister ordered the firing, or he was unaware that the firing was taking place. In the first case, he is culpable. In the second, he is incompetent. There cannot be a third possibility. If the Home Minister did not know that firing was taking place, it means he is incompetent… That is the only point I am making. It is a matter of simple logic. Also, he has not come to the House. Why is he not coming? He is supposedly the brave Home Minister of India. If he did not issue any order, then he should come and clarify that he did not. In any case, the larger issue is that I have the right to speak in Parliament, and I should be allowed to exercise that right.”
On Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as the Education Minister, Gandhi said that it was “superficial” and that the soul of the system is captured by the RSS. He also lashed out at Home Minister Amit Shah and alleged that he authorised the use of pellet guns on protestors. Gandhi’s remarks were met with protest from the government.
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi says, "We are not asking for anything that is out of the ordinary. At least have the decency to take responsibility for what you have done..."
Amit Shah should go...The person who is responsible has shot our students and will be held accountable. If not now, will be made later, says Rahul Gandhi.
The Bill passed today is not an anti-paper leak bill, it is like a 'punishment tool'. A paper leak bill stops exam paper leakages, not just punishes those involved, says Rahul Gandhi.
Images are being created : Amit Shah is the hero, Modi is the god, says Rahul Gandhi. There's a perception that if Modi puts mobile camera on his face, he will be able to communicate with Gen Z. That's not true. Their image has been tarnished. I am thankful to the students, says Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi said Shah either ordered the police action, making him "culpable", or did not know what was happening on the streets, which, he argued, would make the Home Minister "incompetent". He said these were the only two possible explanations for the events.
When asked about FIRs filed against students despite the government's assurance of no action, Rahul said: I am concerned that in the shadows, silently, the Home Minister is attacking the students through facial recognition, the Bajrang Dal mobilised against them, and that is why I am standing here today, doing a press conference.
Delhi Police and RAF unleashed the violence, and both forces report to the Home Minister...I wrote to HM to ask whether he allowed pellet gun, lethal force; and, those in civil clothes are policemen or someone else...But we never got any response, says Rahul Gandhi.
Pellet guns cannot be used without the permission of Amit Shah, says Rahul Gandhi. The last call is that of the Prime Minister or Home Minister, he adds.
Students were brutalised in Delhi and shot with pellet guns, those who shot them report to HM Amit Shah, says Rahul Gandhi
Women and minors were beaten up. There were men in plain clothes, not just police officials, were involved in beating up students. says Rahul Gandhi.
We will ensure that each student who were beaten up will get justice, says Rahul Gandhi
After his remarks were expunged in Parliament, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said he was asked to apologise and added that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was responsible for the brutality unleashed against students. Gandhi alleged that he was repeatedly denied permission to continue his speech in the Lok Sabha despite Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh being allowed to speak. He claimed he was told he could resume speaking if he apologised, but said, “I will never apologise to the BJP or the RSS.”
I said Amit Shah was responsible for the brutality which was carried out...I was asked to apologise...which I will never do to BJP or any other RSS-affiliate organisation. Its my right as LoP to raise important issues, says Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi says he was not allowed to speak in Parliament.
Reacting to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's speech in the Lower House, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "We are all very disappointed because we expect the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha to speak well and raise meaningful points. But Rahul Gandhi could not do that. He did not speak even once about the provisions of the Bill. As the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, I am very disappointed. I want the Leader of the Opposition to deliver a good speech and raise constructive issues, but that did not happen today. This is not about the Congress versus the BJP or the government versus the Opposition. As the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, I am saddened that the Leader of the Opposition in India's Lok Sabha could not speak on such an important Bill..."
With PTI inputs
Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the passage of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill and wrote in a post on X, "Congratulations to every student in India on the passage of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Lok Sabha today. The bill shields the dreams and aspirations of our youth by laying down iron-clad provisions imposing the harshest punishment on those who dare to breach the sanctity of public examinations. The Modi govt will spare no one who attempts to imperil the future of our students and will leave no stone unturned to ensure that they face the full wrath of the law. "
Rahul Gandhi to address press conference shortly.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to address press conference after Parliament showdown.
In a post on X, Gandhi said, "Today, during my speech in Parliament, I raised the issue of the brutality inflicted on students in Delhi and named the one responsible - Home Minister Amit Shah. The BJP did not let me speak. At 6 PM today - I will hold a press conference and say everything that I was not allowed to say in the House. They can turn off the mic - but not the students' echo."
Lok Sabha adjourned for the day
The government’s tougher anti-paper leak Bill cleared the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after the House gave its assent to the legislation by a voice vote. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 sets a two-month deadline to complete the investigation into paper leak cases. It has increased the punishment for individuals involved in unfair means, including paper leaks, from three to five years in the 2024 Act to five to 10 years. The fine, earlier set at Rs 10 lakh, has been hiked to Rs 50 lakh. If the crime is found to be organised, the Bill proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore. In the draft legislation, 15 illegal acts, including leaking question papers, tampering with OMR sheets, creating fake websites and issuing fake admit cards, have been listed as offences.
Addressing Lok Sabha, Union Minister Jitendra Singh targets the Opposition and says, "They are politicising the issue. The words used by LOP are unparliamentary. Even if someone considers themselves to be ****, they can't use it. I am surprised to see LOP not being aware of Parliamentary norms. When he says that he is not using these words for anyone specific, then we are doubtful whether he is calling our students ****."
Further, Singh says,"When he says Home Minister ordered firing on students, then it is something that is ordered by SDM, magistrate, or DM. We have been MLAs and we know. It is clear he is unaware. There was no firing, only tear gas, and the power to give order for it is with magistrate."
Asad Rehman reports
Rajya Sabha passes the The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 through voice vote following opposition walkout.
Nikhil Ghanekar reports
After BJP MPs created ruckus following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks against Home Minister Amit Shah, Speaker Om Birla said parts of his speech will be expunged. Addressing media, Gandhi said, “I have simply asked a question. There can only be two possibilities. Either the Home Minister ordered the firing, or he was unaware that the firing was taking place. In the first case, he is culpable. In the second, he is incompetent. There cannot be a third possibility. If the Home Minister did not know that firing was taking place, it means he is incompetent. Otherwise, he ordered it, in which case he is culpable. That is the only point I am making. It is a matter of simple logic. Also, he has not come to the House. Why is he not coming? He is supposedly the brave Home Minister of India. If he did not issue any order, then he should come and clarify that he did not. In any case, the larger issue is that I have the right to speak in Parliament, and I should be allowed to exercise that right.”
Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm for the third time on Wednesday.
Amid continued protests in the Rajya Sabha, the House on Wednesday took up the National Honour (Amendment) Bill for discussion. Opposition members demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah be present during the debate
Amid sustained protests and sloganeering by ruling party members during Rahul Gandhi's speech in the Lok Sabha, proceedings were adjourned till 2.30 pm on Wednesday.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pulled up Rahul Gandhi, saying proceedings could not continue like this. Accusing members of disrespecting the Chair, Birla said the House record is preserved for a long time and therefore statements made on the floor must be backed by facts. "As the Leader of the Opposition, you have to speak on facts and on the Bill," he said. Birla further told Gandhi that if he did not wish to continue his speech, he would call the next speaker to participate in the debate.
Opposition members raise slogans that Rahul Gandhi should be allowed to speak: "Rahul ji ko bolne do."
Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla responding to Rahul Gandhi's remarks, said " Unless you have a basis to say what you said, it can't be taken on record
Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday demanded that Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi apologise in the Lok Sabha for what he called false allegations made during his speech. Interrupting Gandhi, Rijiju said, "the word you used, you will have to apologise. We can't take this lightly. Can I say that Rahul Gandhi has murdered someone? Can I say that? You have to give the basis for saying something," Rijiju said. He further asserted that the government would not allow the House to function until Gandhi either apologised or explained the basis of his statement.
Rahul Gandhi continued his speach, "The students are saying we will not become andhbhakts under no circumstances. The beautiful expression. The parents of these children didn't have the courage to face the BJP, the RSS. Yet, these children -- brave, imaginative, powerful -- stood there and faced whatever you threw at them.
The game is not about facing them. The game is in facing your own fear. That is what the students did. They overcame that fear. they challenged the idea that you could destroy them, their career.
They asked why do you attack different religions, and why they can't love someone. They asked these questions. And I am very happy to see that the so-called Home Minister doesn't have the courage to come and sit here.
Rajnath Singh said that we are not the UPA and our ministers never resign. He is right. What has happened here is that resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan is superficial because he never ran the education system. The education ministry is run by the RSS. The man who runs it the OSD sitting in minister's office.
Continuing his speach in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said, " Three categories of people. One is a student, vidhyarthi. Who pursues vidya. A student never uses force against somebody else. The other category doesn't like truth; they need violence, force, an image. Superficially, it seems our students were upset with the education system. The rich pay Rs 30-40 lakh and get through. The poor is bypassed. Our system is cruel. Lakhs and lakhs of rupees are taken from our students. Everything is privatised. Papers are leaked. It is an extortion system. I have said it in my meetings. It is a system that has been captured. The soul has been captured by the RSS. The students are not allowed to be students in India. They are not allowed to follow their passion. They are not allowed to ask questions. They have to buy this nonsensical history that the RSS fantasises. They have to buy this structure... Every single university has an RSS V-C. Your real enemy is RSS, who want you to be anshbhakts."
As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh rose to intervene during Rahul Gandhi's speech in the Lok Sabha, the Leader of the Opposition objected, saying he had not yielded the floor. Singh requested the Chair to remove the word used by Gandhi from the House records and appealed to members to allow the Congress leader to continue his speech without further interruptions. Gandhi a tehr resumed his address.
Rahul Gandhi accused the Treasury benches of repeatedly interrupting him whenever he rose to speak in the Lok Sabha, saying it was the Speaker's responsibility to maintain order in the House. Rejecting allegations that he had used an unparliamentary expression, the Leader of the Opposition said he had not directed the word at any member. “To keep the House in order is your esteemed responsibility. The moment I start speaking, the entire bench starts interrupting. Gandhi: It is unparliamentary. Let us be precise. It is unparliamentary for me to use that word for another member, which I have not done. Speaker sir, if you want only the BJP to speak, I will sit." "The moment I start speaking Parliamentary Affairs Minister interrupts and you let him speak without me yielding."
As repeated interruptions disrupted proceedings in the Lok Sabha during Rahul Gandhi's speech, Speaker Om Birla appealed to members to maintain order and allow the debate to continue. "House is in order, please speak. I have seen many occasions when the Leader of the House isn't allowed to speak and you come to the well.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while speaking on the anti-paper leak bill, said he initially planned to speak about the country's next generation and chose to begin with a conversation he had with a group of young female students. Recalling the interaction, Gandhi said the discussion gave him an interesting perspective on the issues facing students and shaped the way he approached his speech in the House.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate on the anti-paper leak bill on Wednesday, praised the students who protested over recent exam paper leaks, calling their protest a reflection of the aspirations of the country's youth rather than anger or violence. He said the protests represented the voice of India's future generation and urged all political parties, including the BJP, to respect their democratic expression. Gandhi also claimed that BJP leaders would find their own children shared similar concerns if they spoke to them about the issue.
RLP MP Hanuman Beniwal while speaking in the Lok Sabha debate on the anti-paper leak Bill said eliminating paper leaks should be the collective goal of all political parties. Citing Rajasthan as one of the worst-affected states, Beniwal said the issue has persisted under both Congress and BJP governments. "There should be no paper leaks and that should be our attempt. I come from a state, Rajasthan, which has maximum paper leaks. It happens under Congress and BJP governments," he said during the debate.
Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to speak shortly in the Lok Sabha debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026.
The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The Bill was tabled before the House resumed discussion on the Public Examinations Amendment Bill 2026, which seeks to strengthen provisions of the anti-paper leak law.
Congress General Secretary and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday defended her Tuesday's remarks in the Lok Sabha against Union Education Minister Prahlad Joshi, asserting that there was nothing unparliamentary in what she had said and that video footage of her speech supported her stand. She said she would continue to speak the truth despite any action taken against her. Escalating her attack, Priyanka alleged that a person accused of assaulting women in a pub in Mangaluru was later inducted into the BJP by Joshi, claiming there were photographs to substantiate the allegation. She said the episode reflected the minister's "mindset towards women."
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsमैंने नए शिक्षा मंत्री प्रह्लाद जोशी के लिए सदन में जो कहा, उसमें कुछ भी unparliamentary नहीं था- वो सच्चाई है, जिसका वीडियो भी है।
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 29, 2026
अगर सच बोलने की सजा मिल रही है तो मिले, लेकिन मैं सच बोलूंगी।
इसी के साथ मैंगलोर के एक पब में लड़कियों की पिटाई करने वाले शख्स को प्रह्लाद जोशी… pic.twitter.com/RWKUZDIRqD
Lok Sabha resumed after a brief adjournment on Wednesday, with Speaker Om Birla urging members to allow the House to function as Opposition MPs continued their protests.
Amid continued slogans "home Minister sadan mein aao" by opposition members, the Rajya Sabha Chairman adjourned the House proceedings till 2 pm on Wednesday.
Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were adjourned till 12 pm on Wednesday shortly after they convened, following brief sittings amid continued disruptions.
Responding to opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister J P Nadda defended the police action against student protesters, saying law enforcement had acted in accordance with the situation. Recalling his own experience as a student activist, Nadda said he had also been arrested and jailed during the Emergency. "Any student activist involved in protests knows what he '/ she is in for," he said.
Rajya Sabha proceedings witnessed uproar on Wednesday as Opposition members raised slogans, demanding a discussion on the police brutality during the Jantar Mantar protests. As the Chairman urged the House to continue with its business, Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge rose to speak amid the din, alleging that people were no longer safe in the country. "Democracy is not safe here," Kharge said, while demanding accountability from the government over the police action.
Lok Sabha proceedings commenced on Wednesday with Speaker Om Birla presiding over the House. As the Speaker initiated Question Hour, Congress members raised objections over the absence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, leading to adjournment of the House till 12pm.
Ahead of the eighth day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Wednesday, Samajwadi Party MPs were seen staging a protest near the Parliament premises over the alleged embezzlement of Ram Mandir donations. Carrying placards and raising slogans of "Chanda chor, gaddi chhod", the MPs demanded action against those responsible.
Congress MP and General Secretary KC Venugopal on Wednesday moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, demanding a discussion on alleged financial irregularities in donations made to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Accusing the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust of failing to prevent the embezzlement of cash and jewellery donated by devotees, Venugopal called for the suspension of House proceedings and sought a high-level independent probe under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge. He also alleged that the CCTV footage was destroyed, whistleblowers were removed, and the state government's SIT investigation had targeted only lower-level staff while shielding those allegedly responsible for the purported multi-crore fraud. (ANI)
Priyanka Gandhi spewed fire and pathos in equal measure in Parliament Tuesday, taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah two days after Cockroach Janta Party-led protests forced Dharmendra Pradhan to resign as the Union Education Minister.
“The whole country, not merely the Congress, is asking… who, the Home Minister or Prime Minister allowed lathis, tear gas, water canons, pellet guns, and AK-47 to be used on students…” she raged. “Why were women hit… their clothes torn? What was the need to humiliate them?”
“What was the need to treat them in such a brutal and inhuman manner? Were they terrorists?”
“Answer us! The Congress is asking… we want answers. Who will answer? Did the Prime Minister give permission? Did the Home Minister give it? Will they answer?” Read Here
Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state's Education Minister over the alleged paper leak, accusing both the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP of failing students. "We demand the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state's Education Minister over the paper leak. Both the AAP and the BJP are corrupt. Irrespective of the state, if students' futures are at stake, everyone responsible must resign," Aujla said.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Delhi: "We demand the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state's Education Minister over the paper leak. Both the AAP and the BJP are corrupt. Irrespective of the state, if students' futures are at stake, everyone responsible must resign," says… pic.twitter.com/iMOz8wTu0e
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 29, 2026
