The ninth day of the Parliament Monsoon Session witnessed intense political friction across both Houses on Thursday. Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were disrupted as Opposition members launched a strong protest, alleging that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was deliberately denied the opportunity to speak in the House. The resulting chaos forced the Speaker to adjourn Lok Sabha proceedings until 2:00 PM. Simultaneously, the Upper House, Rajya Sabha, experienced severe uproar over the introduction of the Anti Paper Leak Bill, culminating in a walkout by Opposition members. Meanwhile, outside the chambers at Parliament's Makar Dwar, a notable political exchange unfolded between Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee, injecting further heat into the ongoing political standoff.
High Drama and Historical Debates at Makar Dwar Between Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Kalyan Banerjee
Prior to the commencement of parliamentary proceedings, suspended TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee was staging a vocal demonstration outside Makar Dwar against the merger of TMC MPs into NCPI. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra approached Kalyan Banerjee at the protest site and remarked that he had originally led those members from the Congress into the TMC. In response, Kalyan Banerjee revisited political history, pointing out that Mamata Banerjee had been expelled from the Congress party back in 1997. Countering his assertion, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reminded him that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had consistently encouraged and promoted Mamata Banerjee during her early political career. Kalyan Banerjee concurred with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, acknowledging that Rajiv Gandhi indeed played a supportive role in encouraging Mamata Banerjee.
Rajya Sabha Prepares to Consider Public Examinations Amendment Bill 2026
In the Rajya Sabha, official procedures began for the introduction, consideration, and passage of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 on Thursday. Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan informed the House that special exemption was granted under Rule 123 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business to take up the bill, which had previously been passed by the Lok Sabha. Accordingly, a supplementary list of business was issued, and all amendment proposals submitted by members up to Thursday afternoon were accepted for consideration.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, is slated to present the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha. The legislative amendment aims to establish robust safeguards to ensure transparency and integrity in competitive examinations nationwide. Key measures incorporated into the bill include expedited investigations, trials through special fast-track courts, time-bound resolution of appeals, and strict penal provisions against individuals and organized syndicates involved in examination malpractices.
Opposition Creates Uproar in Both Houses as Government Offers Debate
As soon as Thursday's sitting commenced, Opposition members began raising slogans and creating disruptions over multiple issues. Owing to the persistent noise in the Lok Sabha, the Chair adjourned the proceedings until 2:00 PM. In the Rajya Sabha, where the Anti Paper Leak Bill was scheduled for discussion, Opposition members continued their protest before eventually staging a walkout from the chamber.
Reacting to the developments, Union Minister and BJP leader J.P. Nadda sharply criticized the Opposition's conduct. J.P. Nadda stated that the Central Government remains fully prepared to hold comprehensive and transparent discussions on every topic inside Parliament. He categorized the Opposition's behavior as highly irresponsible, emphasizing that disrupting parliamentary proceedings and evading discussions on critical national matters undermines democratic principles.
Opposition Strategy, Makar Dwar Protest, and 'INDIA' Block Strategy Meeting
Escalating their confrontation with the Treasury benches on day nine of the session, Congress and ally parties focused their criticism on the alleged suppression of Rahul Gandhi's speech in the Lok Sabha. Demonstrating solidarity, Congress MPs gathered at Parliament's Makar Dwar at 10:30 AM to protest against the government and demand speaking rights for the Leader of Opposition.
Ahead of the Makar Dwar demonstration, floor leaders of the 'INDIA' block held a key coordination meeting at 10:00 AM to align their strategy inside and outside Parliament. The protest follows heated scenes on Wednesday during the discussion on the Anti Paper Leak Bill, where Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of police action against protesting students during a march to Parliament. During his address, Rahul Gandhi used terms such as 'idiot' and 'andhbhakt', prompting strong objections from Treasury members. Furthermore, Rahul Gandhi directly named Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing security forces of firing upon student protesters.
BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra Rebuts Rahul Gandhi's Allegations
The Bharatiya Janata Party launched a firm counter-offensive against Rahul Gandhi regarding his statements in the Lok Sabha. Addressing a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Rahul Gandhi of misleading Parliament and the public, presenting factually incorrect claims, and employing unparliamentary language during the debate on exam reforms. Sambit Patra welcomed the strict anti-paper leak legislation passed by the Lok Sabha, stating that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken historic and decisive steps to make the examination system transparent, secure, and accountable.
Sambit Patra highlighted that the new law lays down severe punishments and heavy fines for paper leak syndicates and offenders. Turning to Rahul Gandhi's speeches, Patra remarked that the Congress leader repeatedly shifted his positions during the debate and failed to address genuine student concerns effectively. Sambit Patra firmly rejected Rahul Gandhi's assertion that security forces fired upon student demonstrators under the instructions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Patra clarified that no such firing occurred and emphasized that crowd control measures are decided on the ground by local magistrates based on situational requirements, rather than by the Union Home Minister.
Pramod Tiwari Raises Ram Temple Land Purchase, Demands Resignation, and Criticizes E20 Fuel
Senior Congress leader Pramod Tiwari launched a wide-ranging attack against the ruling party. Addressing the Ayodhya Ram Temple issue, Pramod Tiwari alleged widespread financial wrongdoing, asserting that devotees' offerings were looted. He stated that the BJP did not construct the temple by enacting any legislation, but rather the Supreme Court directed the Central Government to form a trust and undertake temple construction. Pramod Tiwari claimed that land initially valued at 2 crore rupees was purchased for 17 crore rupees just two hours later, calling it a glaring irregularity.
Pramod Tiwari endorsed Rahul Gandhi's demand for Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation over police actions involving sticks, nails, and alleged firing against protesters, stating that the Home Minister must take responsibility today or tomorrow. Additionally, Pramod Tiwari raised concerns over E20 ethanol-blended fuel in Parliament. He stated that motorists using E20 fuel are suffering from reduced vehicle mileage by 2, 3, or 4 kilometers per liter, along with severe engine malfunctions. Pramod Tiwari alleged that the government's responses in Parliament are driven by ministers' personal financial interests and vested economic stakes in the ethanol industry, resulting in inferior fuel being forced upon the public.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Anand Dubey Demands Strict Action Against Paper Leak Culprits
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey described paper leaks as a critical national problem impacting hard-working students across India. Anand Dubey noted that students prepare diligently for two full years, only to find out four days before an examination that the question paper has been leaked, completely shattering their confidence in the system. He declared that the cancer of paper leaks must be eradicated entirely from the country.
On parliamentary operations, Anand Dubey emphasized that Parliament functions effectively only when both the Treasury and Opposition benches listen to one another. He stated that current times demand constructive dialogue rather than endless confrontation, adding that political sparring can resume once the session concludes. Anand Dubey advocated for strict anti-paper leak laws and sustained protests in every state where paper leaks occur. He asserted that Chief Ministers and Education Ministers must be held directly accountable whenever paper leaks happen in their respective states. Citing Delhi as an example, Anand Dubey stressed that the issue must be evaluated through a single unbiased lens, concluding that paper leakers are traitors who should be granted no refuge anywhere in the country.
