Rahul Gandhi (Congress) criticized the government's handling of exam paper leaks during a Lok Sabha debate on Wednesday [1].

The speech comes as India attempts to stabilize its competitive examination system following widespread protests over the NEET-UG paper leak. The government introduced the Anti-Paper Leak Amendment Bill to strengthen laws and prevent future breaches [2].

Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, used the floor to target Home Minister Amit Shah. He alleged that the Home Minister ordered pellet firing against students who were protesting the leaks [3].

"If the Home Minister did not know that firing was taking place, it means he is incompetent. Otherwise, he ordered it, in which case he is culpable," Gandhi said [4].

Earlier in the session, Gandhi said he felt "very excited and reassured" regarding certain aspects of the proceedings [5]. However, the legislative process faced significant delays, including a seven-day washout of Lok Sabha proceedings before the debate began [6].

The Anti-Paper Leak Amendment Bill was passed by the house via a voice vote on July 29, 2026 [1, 7]. The legislation aims to create a more rigorous framework for the conduct of public examinations, and the prosecution of those involved in leaks [2].

The debate highlighted the deep political divide over the administration's response to student unrest. While the government emphasizes the need for stricter laws, the opposition argues that the state has used excessive force to silence dissent [3].

“"If the Home Minister did not know that firing was taking place, it means he is incompetent."”

The passage of the Anti-Paper Leak Amendment Bill represents a legislative attempt to restore trust in India's national testing agency. However, the accompanying allegations of state-sponsored violence against students suggest that the crisis is as much about civil liberties and police conduct as it is about academic integrity.