Live: Parliament Monsoon Session: Opposition moves notices on Anti-Defection Law, Cauvery dispute, and Ram Temple funds

Proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been suspended for the remainder of the day. The Houses will reconvene on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 11:00 AM.

Lower House MPs approved the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 through a voice vote amidst ongoing proceedings.

Speaking in the House, Jitendra Singh highlighted that several sections of the bill were modified following feedback from various stakeholders. He pointed out that financial penalties for service providers under the 2024 anti-cheating framework have been raised from a maximum of ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore. Furthermore, the monetary penalty for directors and managerial staff has been increased to up to ₹5 crore, compared to ₹1 crore earlier, alongside existing jail sentences of three to 10 years. Mr. Singh further detailed that general penalties, previously set at three to five years imprisonment with fines up to ₹10 lakh, have been toughened to five to 10 years in prison and fines reaching ₹50 lakh. For personnel in charge, the legislation proposes prison terms ranging from five to 10 years (up from three to 10 years) and fines up to ₹5 crore (increased from ₹1 crore). Additionally, organized crime syndicates will now face a minimum of seven years imprisonment (raised from five years) alongside fines up to ₹10 crore (up from ₹1 crore).

Jitendra Singh stated in the Lok Sabha that NEP 2020 grants real academic autonomy to learners. He emphasized that the policy allows flexible entry and exit points in academic programs, enabling students to switch between literature, mathematics, or any preferred domain. While the previous education setup effectively trapped students, NEP has successfully unshackled them, Mr. Singh noted.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Jitendra Singh reprimanded Priyanka Gandhi over her remarks, asserting that she relied on incorrect statistics inside the House. According to Mr. Singh, Ms. Gandhi presented inaccurate data to build her arguments during parliamentary discussions. He further asserted that the current administration has introduced several groundbreaking schemes to reform the education sector.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce attack on Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, claiming he sanctioned harsh police measures against protesting students. During a heated debate on amending paper-leak regulations, he also asserted that the RSS has gained complete control over the country's education infrastructure, sparking chaotic scenes in the Lok Sabha.

As the Lok Sabha resumed its sitting, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh took the floor while Opposition parliamentarians continued chanting slogans demanding 'justice'.

AIADMK parliamentarian M. Thambidurai stated that while his party stands behind 'The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026', he is aggrieved by the Tamil Nadu government giving 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' third precedence. He urged that the state song 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' should strictly be accorded the highest priority across Tamil Nadu.

Opposition MPs staged a walkout during the debate on a legislative proposal aimed at making any disrespect to 'Vande Mataram' a criminal offense.

Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were suspended until 3 p.m. amidst continuous disruptions.

Opposition parliamentarians urged Home Minister Amit Shah to attend the Rajya Sabha proceedings. MP Tiruchi Siva stressed that deliberations cannot proceed without Mr. Shah's attendance.

As the House reconvened, the Deputy Chairman appealed to members to preserve the order and dignity of the Upper House.

Addressing the commotion in the House, Speaker Om Birla stated that he cannot allow Rahul Gandhi to speak unless parliamentary decorum is respected. Emphasising that Parliament functions under established rules, Mr. Birla asserted that he cannot permit the House to run if norms are violated, adding that such conduct damages the dignity of the institution.

Congress lawmaker Rahul Gandhi stated in the Lok Sabha that any deployment of force against individuals requires explicit authorization from either the Prime Minister or the Home Minister. His remark immediately triggered loud objections from treasury bench members.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju insisted that Rahul Gandhi apologize for his allegations targeting the Home Minister. Mr. Rijiju emphasized that parliamentary proceedings would remain stalled until the Congress leader retracts his comments and offers a formal apology.

Loud disruptions broke out in the Lok Sabha following statements made by Rahul Gandhi regarding Home Minister Amit Shah. While the ruling coalition raised slogans opposing the accusations made against the Home Minister, opposition members demanded that the Congress leader be allowed to complete his speech uninterrupted. The debate escalated after the Congress MP claimed that the Home Minister had sanctioned firing upon protesting students.

Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi leveled a severe charge in the Lok Sabha, alleging that the Union Home Minister directed police forces to fire upon students. He stated that young protesters were asking difficult queries which the Home Ministry lacked the courage to address. Questioning the whereabouts of the Home Minister, Gandhi asserted that the minister had personally sanctioned firing on the nation's youth. The serious accusation provoked intense uproar in the chamber, prompting Kiren Rijiju to demand an immediate retraction and apology.

Rahul Gandhi asserted that the Education Ministry has been taken over by the RSS, claiming that Indian students are being deprived of the freedom to express their views or pose questions. He alleged that students are being forced to accept distorted historical narratives promoted by the organization. According to the Congress MP, prominent academic institutions across the country are currently being led by individuals affiliated with the RSS. He further stated that the country's academic setup has turned into an extractive system burdening underprivileged families.

Intervening in the Lok Sabha debate regarding the anti-paper leak legislation, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged the Chair to expunge an unparliamentary expression used by Rahul Gandhi. Deliberations regarding the proposed bill are still underway in the House.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju pointed out that Rahul Gandhi resorted to unparliamentary phrasing while debating the anti-paper leak measure in the Lok Sabha. The Congress MP allegedly uttered the word 'idiot' while taking aim at the treasury benches and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address. This prompted strong objections from government lawmakers. While Rijiju stated that the term was repeated multiple times, Gandhi maintained that his comment was not aimed at any particular individual.

Loud shouting erupted from the government benches the moment Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi rose to address the Lok Sabha.

Participating in the debate on the Public Examinations Bill, Rahul Gandhi commended the demonstrating youth, asserting that the nation's future remains bright due to their efforts. He urged leaders across all political parties to acknowledge and praise the courage displayed by students during recent events. He also highlighted the escalating costs of acquiring education within the country.

Leader of the Opposition in the House Rahul Gandhi is set to join the discussion regarding the anti-paper leak bill shortly. The government introduced the amendment bill on Monday, following countrywide student protests over the NEET issue that culminated in Dharmendra Pradhan stepping down as Education Minister. The draft law seeks to modify the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act to incorporate harsher punishments, including up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines reaching ₹50 lakh for those implicated in paper leaks. Since the Monsoon session commenced on July 20, opposition parties have consistently raised the NEET paper leak controversy, slowing legislative work and largely confining business to the tabling of two bills. -PTI

Speaking during the debate on the Public Examination Bill, Kerala MP N.K. Premachandran questioned who takes responsibility for the brutal actions against demonstrating students if Dharmendra Pradhan has already resigned as Education Minister. "The police used excessive force against protesting students in Delhi. The Government of India holds responsibility for the paper leaks and the widespread corruption linked to the issue," stated the parliamentarian from Kerala.

Participating in the discussion on the Public Examination Bill, Bihar lawmaker Pappu Yadav urged that the paper leak issue must be addressed with grave seriousness. Mr. Yadav remarked that key state bodies, including the NTA, the CBI, and the ED, have ceased to maintain accountability. He noted that direct human involvement throughout the evaluation and testing process must be reduced as much as possible. The Bihar MP added that governmental intervention in conducting exams should be minimal or non-existent. We ought to learn from nations such as Japan, China, and Singapore to ensure the entire system functions seamlessly. "We are discussing the future of this nation. The administration must treat this with extreme urgency," he added.

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was formally introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.

The Lok Sabha is continuing its consideration of the Public Examinations Amendment Bill. The proposed law sets out strict penalties and fixed timelines for investigating examination paper leaks. Further details on the Bill: Explore major provisions of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, formulated to reinforce anti-cheating mechanisms.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla requested members to allow the House to function as Opposition parliamentarians continued their protests.

The Rajya Sabha was suspended until 2 p.m., within minutes of convening at 12 noon, as the Opposition demanded the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah in the House. This marked the second adjournment for the Upper House on Wednesday. The earlier pause took place approximately 20 minutes into the Zero Hour. As the Rajya Sabha reassembled at noon for Question Hour, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury asked about the Home Minister's whereabouts, with other Opposition figures joining her in demanding his attendance. "Where is the Home Minister? Call him to the House," Ms. Chowdhury insisted. "You fire shots at students..." she added, while chants were raised calling for Mr. Shah to appear. Following the disruption, Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan adjourned the session until 2 p.m. -PTI

Lok Sabha Chair N.K. Premachandran announced that the Speaker refused permission for all adjournment notices submitted by various Opposition MPs. Mr. Premachandran stated that the House could proceed with the scheduled agenda for the day.

Continuous shouting of slogans and demonstrations by Opposition members forced the RS Chairman to interrupt the proceedings and adjourn the House till 12 p.m.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju targeted Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in LS, on Wednesday, suggesting he should devote at least five minutes of his address to discussing the core provisions and merits of the anti-paper leak legislation. Addressing media personnel, Mr. Rijiju condemned the Opposition's conduct in Parliament, maintaining that the government introduced this bill to address student grievances and safeguard integrity in competitive exams.

Replying to remarks made by Mallikarjun Kharge, Union Minister J.P. Nadda stated that student activists participating in demonstrations naturally encounter law enforcement actions. "The police took steps based on the prevailing situation. I was also taken into custody during my student days and spent time in prison during the Emergency. Every student activist taking part in protests understands the consequences," Mr. Nadda remarked.

As shouting continued in the chamber, Leader of the Opposition in RS Mallikarjun Kharge stood up to address the House. Speaking through the uproar, he claimed that citizens no longer feel secure in the nation and expressed concern that democracy itself is under threat. Mr. Kharge further stated that he demands full accountability from the government.

Even as the RS Chairman indicated for the day's business to proceed, Opposition lawmakers raised slogans demanding a detailed debate regarding the police action against student protesters at Jantar Mantar.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla suspended House proceedings until 12 p.m. as opposition MPs continued raising slogans demanding a statement from the Home Minister on police action against students. Speaker Birla repeatedly asked parliamentarians to adhere to House decorum and order. With the loud chanting persisting in the well, the presiding officer suspended the sitting until 12 p.m.

Speaker Om Birla opened the House proceedings by congratulating Indian athletes for their successful medal achievements at the Commonwealth Games 2026 held in Glasgow.

On Wednesday morning, senior leaders representing various INDIA bloc constituent parties across both Houses will convene in the office of Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. The gathering aims to formulate an effective parliamentary strategy for the continuing Monsoon Session. Timed for 10:00 AM, the session brings together alliance representatives to align their floor tactics and present a united front during legislative proceedings.

Senior Congress leader and MP K.C. Venugopal submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, demanding an urgent debate regarding allegations of extensive financial misappropriation and fraud involving public contributions for Ayodhya's Ram Temple. Requesting that routine parliamentary proceedings be set aside to address this grave matter, Venugopal called for a Supreme Court judge-monitored independent high-level probe into the allegations. His submission highlighted that public funds donated for the temple had reportedly been subject to significant theft and financial misconduct, necessitating immediate parliamentary attention.

Prior to Wednesday's sittings, several Opposition representatives in both Houses of Parliament lodged notices to halt scheduled work in order to debate critical topics including electoral systemic updates and inter-state water sharing conflicts. In the Lower House, Congress MP Manish Tewari filed an adjournment notice pushing for a thorough debate on replacing the existing Anti-Defection Law with updated provisions. Tewari emphasized that the current anti-defection framework requires complete restructuring to curtail opportunistic political party-hopping and widespread floor-crossing.

Rajya Sabha member Syed Naseer Hussain of the Congress submitted a motion under Rule 267 on Wednesday, requesting that all listed business in the Upper House be put on hold to immediately debate the necessity of an independent audit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's financial accounts and operational oversight. In his formal notice delivered to the Upper House Secretariat, Hussain urged the cancellation of Question Hour, Zero Hour, and routine matters to address the imperative for heightened transparency and public accountability regarding the trust's management.

Member of Parliament Praveen Chakravarthy filed a notice under Rule 267 in the Upper House, insisting on halting regular proceedings to discuss what he called an inaccurate response provided by the Ministry of Jal Shakti regarding the Cauvery river conflict. In his notice, he formally requested the suspension of Zero Hour and Question Hour to facilitate an urgent discussion on the ministry's reply given on July 27, 2026, alongside the directives from the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee instructing Karnataka to release 4 TMC ft of water immediately.