'Dharmendra Pradhan Zindabad' Slogans Raised at Parliament; Rajya Sabha Adjourned Amid Uproar Over Police Action on Students

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh is set to introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha on Monday during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen the existing law by imposing tougher penalties for paper leak-related offences.

Under the proposed amendments, the maximum punishment will be increased to 10 years' imprisonment, while the maximum fine will be raised to Rs 10 crore. Dr Singh is also expected to move a motion for the Bill to be taken up for consideration and passage, although Bills are generally not introduced and passed on the same day.

The move comes after the first week of the Monsoon Session was largely disrupted due to a political deadlock over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy and the Opposition's demand for the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a high-powered task force, headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, to recommend reforms aimed at making India's examination system more reliable, transparent, and technology-driven. Meanwhile, Dharmendra Pradhan was welcomed by NDA MPs outside Parliament with chants of "Dharmendra Pradhan Zindabad."

Speaking ahead of the introduction of the Bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju described it as a significant step towards tackling examination fraud.

"This is a big day for all of us. Regarding the incidents of paper leaks in the country so far and the recent students' protest, PM Modi took major steps and made announcements. But today, a concrete Bill is being brought," Rijiju said.

He urged all political parties to participate in the debate, saying, "Such a strict law is being formed against exam paper leaks. If you do not participate in the discussion and cause ruckus instead, it will not send out a good message."

Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon amid uproar over 'police action' on protesting students

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon on Monday following an uproar over the alleged police atrocity on protesting students in Delhi during the paper leak demonstrations.

After members and ministers laid papers and reports, Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan called upon members for discussion on matters with permission.

Members, however, urged him to first hear Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, who sought to raise the issue of police action against students.

The Chairman repeatedly observed that the matter had already been raised in the House earlier. He recalled that even during the UPA regime under Dr Manmohan Singh, when Krishan Kant was the Chairman, the Chair had intervened on similar occasions.

Kharge insisted that the Deputy Chairman had recently stated that matters could be taken up when the occasion was the "rarest of the rare".

The Chairman responded that the entire House must have consensus on what constituted a "rarest of the rare" incident.

Kharge then asked what else could be rarer than students being brutally beaten up. His remarks triggered a loud uproar in the House, prompting the Chairman to adjourn the proceedings till noon.

Earlier in the day, members Satish Chandra Dubey, Sanjay Seth and Tokhan Sahu laid papers on the table of the House.

Rwngwra Narzary, member from Assam, tabled parliamentary standing committee reports on the Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry.

Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi and Minister of Mines Satish Chandra Dubey made statements regarding their respective departments.

The disruption occurred against the backdrop of ongoing Opposition protests in Parliament over the alleged police handling of student demonstrators in Delhi, an issue that has led to repeated interruptions in the Upper House during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

The Chairman also informed the House that the Business Advisory Committee, in its meeting on Monday, had allocated seven hours for the consideration and passage of The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which was to be introduced in the Lok Sabha.

A copy of the Bill was circulated among members of Parliament on Saturday (July 25, 2026).