Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday, 30 July launched a frontal assault on the Central government during the Rajya Sabha debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026, accusing the ruling dispensation of putting politics ahead of students' futures and demanding a direct statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged police brutality against protesting students in New Delhi.

Kharge's Core Charges

Kharge alleged that the government had ordered a lathi charge on students who had taken to the streets over repeated examination failures. He pointed out that both the Delhi Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) fall under the direct jurisdiction of the Union Home Ministry, arguing that such action could not have been authorised without the Home Minister's knowledge. 'You're sitting inside a room, without being answerable to anything, but we will bring you out,' Kharge said, insisting that Shah could not evade responsibility.

Timing of the Bill Under Scrutiny

The Opposition leader questioned why legislation to curb paper leaks had not been introduced earlier, charging that the government had remained preoccupied with political manoeuvring instead of safeguarding students' futures. 'You brought the Bill to stop the protests in Delhi. You did not bring in the bill for reforms,' he alleged. 'Because of the BJP's politics, the country had to witness paper leaks, protests and police brutality,' Kharge said, adding that all of this could have been prevented had the ruling party not indulged in what he described as petty politics.

What the Opposition Wants

Kharge argued that focusing solely on damage control after leaks occur is insufficient. He stressed the need to strengthen enforcement mechanisms, describing robust systemic reform as the only credible solution. He said the government had not clearly articulated how it planned to prevent future leaks — a gap he called a fundamental flaw in the legislation.

Students' Struggle and Political Fallout

The Leader of Opposition credited students and youth across the country for forcing the government's hand. He said events over the preceding two months had shaken the nation, with young people raising their voices against systemic failures in the examination system. Kharge congratulated them, stating that their struggle had compelled the government to act — including, he claimed, the removal of Dharmendra Pradhan from his portfolio. 'Driven by the fear of losing power, the government conceded to the demands, though its underlying motive was to protect its own position rather than genuinely address the students' grievances,' he said.

Legislative Background

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026 was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday before being introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Kharge's speech set a confrontational tone for the Upper House debate, with the Opposition positioning the bill as a reactive measure extracted through public pressure rather than a proactive reform initiative. He recalled that when examination failures were first flagged, the government had dismissed concerns as politically motivated and failed to engage with protesters for months.