The Lok Sabha (LS) on Wednesday greenlit the anti-paper leak bill after a stormy debate marked by persistent sloganeering, strong exchange of words between the Treasury and Opposition benches, and a robust defence of the legislation by Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh. Later, the proceedings were adjourned until Thursday after repeated disruptions.

The bill’s passage came amid heightened political confrontation over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak and the government’s handling of student protests, with Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi’s remarks continuing to dominate the proceedings.

Union govt junks Gandhi’s allegations against Amit Shah

Responding to the debate, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh strongly condemned Gandhi’s remarks which claimed Union Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered the use of force against student protestors. Moreover, he also termed Gandhi’s remarks ‘unparliamentary.’

Minister Singh asserted that any decision authorising the cops to open fire rests with the Executive Magistrate and not with ministers. He said, “Authorisation to open fire is given by the magistrate, not by any minister," adding that Gandhi’s allegations were baseless. 

He then referred to Gandhi’s protest outside Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s residence, alleging that the Congress leader was ‘unaware of the ground reality.’

Repeated disruptions unfold in Parliament

The debate gave rise to noisy scenes in the House, with members from both sides raising slogans and objecting to each other’s remarks. Amid the mounting uproar, the Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day. 

Following the House’s adjournment, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met Union Home Minister Shah, shortly after Gandhi accused Minister Shah of directing authorities to use pellet guns against students staging protests over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak. 

Gandhi takes aim at Centre, RSS

Earlier in the Wednesday debate, Gandhi broadened his attack on the Centre. He criticised  Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and described the resignation of the then-Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as ‘superficial.’

The senior Congress leader accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of exerting tremendous influence over India’s education system, claiming that its members occupied senior positions in top universities across the country. 

Furthermore, he lauded the people participating in the anti-paper leak protests, calling them ‘brave.’ According to Gandhi, the greatest challenge before India’s students was confronting the influence of the RSS.