LIVE | LS passes Vande Mataram Bill; Kharge’s ‘Manusmriti’ remark sparks uproar in RS

Congress MP says BJP evading Rahul Gandhi's allegations

Congress MP Ujjwal Raman Singh on Thursday backed Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his comments on the alleged use of pellet guns during the July 20 student protest, saying the Centre should answer the allegations instead of dismissing them.

Speaking during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Singh said the government had an opportunity to clarify its position if it believed the claims were incorrect.

He argued that seeking an apology from Rahul was unwarranted while questions over the incident remained unanswered.

“If one has to apologise in this country for speaking the truth, then a very strange situation will arise. If allegations are being made, there is an opportunity to respond, yet the BJP and those in the current government are trying to evade the issue. This is condemnable," Singh told news agency ANI.

His remarks came amid continuing political confrontation over the alleged police action against students, an issue that has triggered repeated protests by the Opposition inside and outside Parliament.

CJP says Anti-Paper Leak Bill misses root cause

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday criticised the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, saying the proposed law concentrates on punishment after paper leaks instead of preventing them.

In a video message posted on X, the party's national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka argued that the Centre had failed to address the weaknesses that allow examination papers to be leaked.

“You have been talking about everything after the paper leak, whether it is fast-track courts, harsher punishments or penalties. But you have not talked about what you are doing to stop paper leaks,” he said.

Ranka urged the government to introduce structural changes within the National Testing Agency (NTA), increase transparency in examination schedules and syllabi, tighten oversight of vendors, stop blacklisted firms from re-entering the system, and conduct regular physical and digital audits to curb future leaks.

The Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, by voice vote on Wednesday amid persistent Opposition sloganeering.

Priyanka, Kalyan share light moment amid Parliament protest

A brief light-hearted moment unfolded outside Makar Dwar on Thursday as suspended Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra exchanged remarks on political defections while Opposition leaders continued their protest.

The conversation began when Banerjee referred to the alleged merger of TMC MPs with the NCPI during the demonstration.

Responding with a smile, Priyanka Gandhi remarked, "You took them from Congress to TMC," reported ANI.

Banerjee replied that Mamata Banerjee had been expelled from the Congress in 1997, prompting a short discussion on the Trinamool Congress chief's political journey.

Priyanka then said, "Rajiv Gandhi always promoted Mamta Banerjee,"

Kalyan Banerjee agreed with the observation, and the two leaders shared a brief cordial exchange before returning to the ongoing protest.

Gadkari says Govt ready for debate, slams Opposition

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday hit back at the Opposition after Congress MP Pramod Tiwari renewed his demand for Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address Parliament over the alleged police action against student protesters.

Replying during proceedings in the Rajya Sabha, Gadkari rejected the Opposition's criticism and said the government had never avoided discussions on matters raised in the House.

"The Opposition is without any real issue," Gadkari said as quoted by the Hindustan Times. 

He maintained that the Centre remained willing to debate any subject under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, is ready to discuss every issue. The Opposition is behaving irresponsibly," he said.

His remarks came as Opposition members continued to press for a statement from the Home Minister on the alleged use of force against students during the July 20 protest in Delhi, leading to repeated confrontations in Parliament.

J.P. Nadda accuses Opposition of disrupting Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha Leader of the House J.P. Nadda on Thursday accused Opposition parties of repeatedly interrupting proceedings during Zero Hour, saying the disruptions were preventing the House from functioning smoothly.

Responding to the protests, Nadda said the government had not shied away from discussions and remained open to debating any matter raised by the Opposition.

“Opposition has no issues; Govt. is ready to discuss on anything," said Nadda as quoted by The Hindu.

His remarks came amid continued sloganeering by Opposition members, who have been demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged police action against students during the July 20 protest in Delhi. The issue has led to repeated disruptions in both Houses of Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

The government has maintained that it is prepared to hold discussions, while accusing the Opposition of stalling proceedings instead of participating in debates inside the House.

Pramod Tiwari demands Amit Shah's reply in Rajya Sabha

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Thursday renewed the Opposition's demand for Union Home Minister Amit Shah to make a statement in Parliament on the alleged police action against students during the July 20 protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha, Tiwari said the Home Minister was duty-bound to respond to questions surrounding the police operation and the allegations of excessive force.

"We are asking the Home Minister to come to the House. We are not asking him to come to our home," Tiwari said as quoted by the Hindustan Times. 

He maintained that Parliament was the appropriate forum for the government to explain its actions.

"It is his duty to be in the House, so he should be there…"

Referring to the allegations over the use of force against protesters, Tiwari added, "When lathis are used and bullets are fired, only the home minister can answer for it."

The Opposition has continued to press the Centre for accountability as the issue dominates the Monsoon Session.

Rahul Gandhi seeks SC- monitored probe into student protest crackdown

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday renewed his criticism of the Centre over the alleged police action during the July 20 student protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, sharing a purported video of the incident on social media.

Referring to the visuals, Gandhi alleged that students had been subjected to excessive force and said those responsible must be held answerable.

"Students deserve justice," Gandhi wrote while posting the video.

He also called for "an independent Supreme Court-monitored high-powered committee" to look into the alleged police excesses during the protest.

The Congress leader has repeatedly raised the issue inside and outside Parliament, accusing the government of avoiding accountability over the alleged crackdown. The Opposition has also demanded a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while the controversy has triggered political confrontation during the Monsoon Session and prompted calls for an independent inquiry into the incident.

Priyanka Gandhi demands Amit Shah's presence in Parliament

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday said Union Home Minister Amit Shah should attend Parliament as the Opposition stepped up its demand for answers over the alleged police action against students during the July 20 protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

When asked whether Shah should be present in the House, Priyanka Gandhi replied, "Yes, he should come."

Her remarks came as MPs from INDIA bloc parties held a demonstration at Makar Dwar, accusing the Centre of failing to address concerns over the alleged use of force against student protesters. The protest also raised questions over alleged irregularities involving donations made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain said, "These protests are happening every day. The way they treated the students, and afterwards, when discussions were held with the government by the students who were protesting, some promises were made to them, that no arrests would be made, no FIRs would be filed, and the government would not go after anyone," reported ANI.

He also asked, "Under whom does the Delhi Police fall? Under whose supervision do they work? From whom do they take directions?... The ministry that comes under Amit Shah ji, the police that comes under him--do those directions come from the Home Minister or the Railway Minister?"

Union Minister Shekhawat says Rahul Gandhi frustrated by poll losses

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday criticised Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, saying the Congress leader's recent statements were driven by political setbacks and falling public support for his party.

Speaking to reporters, Shekhawat accused Gandhi of making unfounded remarks instead of engaging in constructive politics.

"Rahul Gandhi's frustration is due to election losses and declining party acceptance," the minister said as quoted by the Hindustan Times.

He further alleged that Gandhi's comments served neither the country's interests nor those of the Congress.

"His baseless, irrelevant remarks are neither in the nation's nor his party's interest," Shekhawat added.

The remarks came amid an escalating political confrontation between the BJP and the Opposition over the alleged police action during the July 20 student protest in Delhi, an issue that has repeatedly disrupted Parliament during the Monsoon Session.

Kangana Ranaut demands Rahul's apology over Parliament remarks

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Thursday said Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi should apologise for his remarks, accusing him of making serious allegations without evidence.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Ranaut said Gandhi could not level such charges without substantiating them.

"He will have to apologise," she said.

Ranaut added, "You cannot spread lies, cannot make such serious allegations, so he will have to apologise."

Her remarks came amid the ongoing political confrontation between the BJP and the Opposition over the alleged police action during the July 20 student protest in Delhi, an issue that has sparked repeated disruptions during the Monsoon Session.