LIVE: LS discusses anti-paper leak Bill; CJP warns of fresh protest

Gaurav Gogoi opens Opposition debate on Exam Bill

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi initiates debate from the Opposition.

Govt promises fast-track trials in paper leak cases

Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said the proposed amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act would introduce strict timelines for investigation and trial in paper leak cases.

Opening the debate on the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Singh said, "Investigation in paper leak cases will have to be completed in 2 months."

He added that "Fast track courts will ensure that not longer than 5 months is spent from date of exam paper leak to judgement at trial stage."

Highlighting the government's preparations, Singh said, "The commitment of the govt can be gauged from the fact that the law ministry has started process of setting up fast track courts simultaneously with this Bill being drafted."

He also referred to other measures taken by the Centre, saying, "The PM has also set up a high level committee of domain experts. The Radhakrishnan Committee suggestions of 2024 are also being implemented."

Jitendra Singh opens debate on Anti-Paper Leak Bill

Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh on Tuesday opened the Lok Sabha discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, describing it as a major step to protect students and strengthen the examination system.

Introducing the Bill, Singh said, "The Bill is a reaffirmation of the govt to safeguard the youth of this country and the PM's resolve to not allow anyone to compromise with the future of the children." He added that "This is a milestone legislation in the history of Indian Parliament."

Arguing that examination leaks were not a new phenomenon, Singh cited several past instances across states and said, "It was realised by this govt that we need to have an exclusive legislation for Public Examinations."

He also defended the government's decision to establish the National Testing Agency, saying, "It was Modi who finished and unfinished agenda by setting up NTA. It was to give more credibility and transparency to examinations."

Referring to the proposed amendments, Singh said, "The PM has decided to amend the 2024 Act because of the recent sequence of events. We have learnt from the recent events like any responsible govt should."

Govt ready for 10-hour debate on Anti-Paper Leak Bill

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said the government was prepared to further extend the discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, signalling its willingness to accommodate the Opposition's demand for more time.

Rijiju said leaders of all parties had initially agreed to a six-hour debate, which was later expanded to eight hours after consultations.

Stating that the government remained open to a longer discussion, he said, "Ready for a 10-hour marathon debate," reported the Indian Express.

According to Rijiju, if the Opposition sought additional time, the government had no objection to extending the debate to a total of 10 hours. He said the proposal had the approval of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, paving the way for a longer discussion on the legislation.

The Bill, which seeks to strengthen the legal framework against paper leaks and examination malpractice, is being taken up for debate in the Lok Sabha after repeated disruptions in the House.

LS begins debate on Anti-Paper Leak Bill amid Opposition row

Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill to be taken up for discussion.

Before the discussion starts, Congress MP KC Venugopal objects to the absence of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister from the House, saying, "such an important discussion is to take place", but both the PM and the Home Minister are absent.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla says the minister concerned and the Union Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju are present in the House.

Rijiju says after discussion with leaders of various parties, including Congress chief whip Manickam Tagore, the government agreed to allocate 8 hours to the discussion as opposed to the 6 hours originally planned. Rijiju says the government is willing to allocate an additional 2 hours and allow for a 10-hour discussion on the Bill.

Giriraj Singh targets Opposition over student protests

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday accused the Opposition of disrupting Parliament instead of supporting measures aimed at addressing concerns over the NEET paper leak.

Targeting Opposition leaders, Singh said, "Whether it is Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, or other opposition parties—they have hijacked the House. They have no empathy for the students."

He defended the Centre's handling of the issue, saying, "When the issue first arose, around May 3rd, the Prime Minister immediately ensured the exam was conducted and the results declared; no one lost an academic year." He added that "a new law is being introduced, a fast-track mechanism is being established, and the promises made to student representatives have been fulfilled," reported ANI.

Commenting on reports of police firing during the Bihar Bandh protests, Singh said, "The Bihar government acted within its jurisdiction." He alleged that "many non-students were also deeply involved" in the protests and maintained that the state government "took the very steps the people were demanding."

BJP refutes reports linking CJP to Pradhan’s exit

The BJP on Tuesday rejected media reports claiming that former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned only after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) turned down the government's alleged proposal to shift him to another ministry.

Addressing reporters in the Parliament House complex, BJP MP and party spokesperson Sambit Patra described the reports as an attempt to sensationalise the issue.

According to the reports, the government had initially suggested changing Pradhan's portfolio during discussions with CJP representatives following the party's protest over the NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar. They further claimed that the CJP insisted Pradhan resign instead of being assigned a different ministry.

Referring to one such report, Patra said it claimed that "the CJP expressed outrage" over the proposal to change Pradhan's portfolio and that this ultimately led to his resignation.

Dismissing the reports, Patra said the news was "baseless and imaginary" and was intended to sensationalise the matter. He also urged that no attempt be made to create confusion over the issue.

Pradhan resigned as education minister on July 25 following the CJP's 36-day agitation over the NEET paper leak.

Kerala transgender makeup artist Jaanmoni booked over remarks on PM

A case has been registered against transgender makeup artist and former reality show contestant Jaanmoni after remarks she made about Prime Minister Narendra Modi while responding to questions on the recent student protest in Delhi drew controversy.

The Kozhikode Cyber Police registered the case on a complaint filed by BJP Mahila Morcha state president Navya Haridas. According to the FIR, Jaanmoni allegedly made defamatory and insulting remarks against the Prime Minister through social media with the intention of provoking public unrest and disturbing communal harmony.

The case has been registered under Sections 192 and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act.

A day before the FIR was registered, Jaanmoni issued a public apology on Instagram, saying, "My video has created a huge controversy. I honestly did not realise it would become such an issue. I reacted after watching content related to the Delhi protest and answered a question posed by the media. Perhaps I could not express myself properly in Malayalam."

She also clarified that she had not intended to make any comment about the Prime Minister's mother and said her remarks were based on content she had watched online.

Rejecting the apology, Navya Haridas said, "The Prime Minister and his parents were subjected to abusive remarks. Only stringent legal action can curb such tendencies."

Pawan Khera seeksAmit shah's statement on protest allegations

Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera on Tuesday renewed the Opposition's demand for a statement from the Union Home Minister on allegations that pellet guns and AK-47 rifles were used against young protesters during demonstrations over the NEET paper leak.

Speaking to ANI, Khera said the issue had been raised repeatedly in Parliament but had not received a response from the government. "We have been repeatedly urging the Home Minister to come to the House and make a statement," he said.

Calling for a discussion on the allegations, Khera added, "There must be a discussion regarding the use of pellet guns and AK-47s against young people; the Home Minister needs to make a statement on this."

Accusing the government of refusing to respond, he said, "As I mentioned, we have been raising our voices on this for several days, but the government is acting with arrogance."

Questioning the government's stand, Khera asked, "What is the problem with the Home Minister coming and responding to this? What is the issue with him making a statement? What is the problem with the Prime Minister apologising? There shouldn't be any issue."

Priyanka slams BJP for felicitating Dharmendra Pradhan

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday criticised the BJP for felicitating former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Parliament after his resignation, questioning the message it sent amid the controversy over alleged examination irregularities.

Referring to BJP and NDA members raising slogans in Pradhan's support, she said, "Don't you think this is shameful? Consider the circumstances under which they resigned, yet he is being welcomed here as if a superstar were arriving."

Priyanka also accused the government of continuing to act against students who participated in protests over the NEET paper leak. "One cannot trust this government. Even today, students are being harassed," she said as quoted by ANI.

Raising concerns over social media posts targeting protesters, she added, "I noticed that photos of girls have been posted on certain Instagram handles, accompanied by claims that they did this or that."

Questioning the government's approach, she said, "Either you are engaging in dialogue and genuinely want to resolve the issue, or you are hounding the students and trying to suppress them even now."