Mallikarjun Kharge and JP Nadda clashed in the Rajya Sabha on July 30, 2026 [1], during a debate over a new amendment bill.
The confrontation highlights the deep ideological divide in India's upper house, where discussions on legislative policy frequently shift into disputes over cultural and historical interpretations.
The argument erupted during the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 [2]. Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition, invoked the Manusmriti to criticize the education policies of the central government. He said the Manusmriti is a relic of a regressive past and should not be used to justify current policies.
JP Nadda, the Leader of the House and a member of the BJP, interrupted the proceedings to object to the reference. Nadda said he wanted the quotations to be authenticated [3]. He said such statements could create unrest [3].
The BJP branded the comments as a call for violence, leading to a ruckus in the chamber in New Delhi [4]. The clash occurred as lawmakers were meant to be discussing the legal framework for preventing unfair means in public examinations [2].
While most reports indicate the reference to the ancient text triggered the row, some accounts suggest the tension was further sparked by Kharge's remarks regarding Amit Shah [5]. The exchange underscores the volatility of the current legislative session as the government seeks to pass the 2026 amendment [2].
“"The Manusmriti is a relic of a regressive past and should not be used to justify current policies."”
The clash demonstrates how historical and religious texts remain potent political tools in Indian parliamentary discourse. By linking modern education policy to the Manusmriti, the opposition attempts to frame the government's agenda as regressive, while the ruling party views such rhetoric as a threat to social stability and a distortion of historical facts.
