Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi demanded Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation Wednesday after alleging the use of pellet guns against student protesters [1].
The confrontation highlights deepening tensions between India's government and the opposition over the handling of civil unrest and the integrity of competitive examinations.
The clash occurred following the passage of the Public Examination Prevention of Unfair Means Amendment Bill 2026 in the Lok Sabha on July 29 [4]. The new legislation introduces severe penalties for paper-leak offenses, including a maximum prison term of 10 years [1] and fines reaching 10 crore rupees [1]. Additionally, companies found involved in such crimes face a ban duration of eight years [1].
During a press conference outside the Parliament House in New Delhi, Gandhi criticized the government's response to students protesting irregularities in competitive exams [1, 2]. He targeted Shah over the alleged deployment of pellet guns to suppress these demonstrations [1, 2].
"I am very excited and reassured by the student protests against irregularities in the competitive exams," Gandhi said [3]. He described the Home Minister's position as vulnerable, stating, "Amit Shah is scared" [2].
Representatives of the ruling party defended the parliamentary proceedings. Sambit Patra, a BJP spokesperson, said that Gandhi "was given a full opportunity to speak" [3].
The tension within the Lok Sabha reflects a broader conflict over how the state balances national security and public order with the right to protest. While the government emphasizes the need for strict deterrents against exam fraud, the opposition argues that the crackdown on students is a diversion from systemic failures in the education sector [1, 5].
“Amit Shah is scared.”
The intersection of the new anti-paper-leak bill and the allegations of pellet gun use suggests a volatile political climate where administrative crackdowns on exam fraud are being overshadowed by accusations of human rights abuses. By calling for the Home Minister's resignation, the opposition is attempting to link government incompetence in educational administration with an alleged escalation of state violence.
