New Delhi, July 26 -- The Congress-led opposition is preparing to intensify its attack on the government in Parliament over the alleged police action against students protesting the NEET paper leak, with demands for accountability, action against those responsible and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to opposition sources, the INDIA bloc will meet in the chamber of Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday morning to finalise its floor strategy. The meeting is also expected to decide the alliance's stand on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which is scheduled to be introduced in the Lok Sabha the same day.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking accountability for what he described as a "barbaric assault" on students who were protesting peacefully. In the letter, Gandhi questioned whether Shah had approved the use of "lethal force", including pellet guns, during the demonstrations.
Calling peaceful protest a vital part of democracy, Gandhi said it was the government's responsibility to protect demonstrators and address their concerns through dialogue. "Such brutal violence destroys every norm, and has outraged the country. Youth and students, the future of our country, are demanding answers and accountability. Their voice will be heard," he wrote.
Sharing the letter, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Gandhi had asked Shah two questions: whether he had authorised the use of pellet guns and other force against students, and if not, who had done so. Gandhi also sought clarification on whether individuals seen beating students while dressed in plain clothes were police personnel or volunteers, and who had authorised their deployment. Ramesh said the home minister must answer these questions in Parliament and repeated the Congress demand that the prime minister apologise to the students.
The Congress has described Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as a victory for the student movement but maintained that the government's response remains incomplete. Kharge said it was now Modi's turn to apologise and take strict action against those who allegedly used lathis, batons and pellet guns on protesters.
After Pradhan stepped down, Gandhi said the resignation marked a major step towards rebuilding the education system, though he called it only a symbolic beginning. Ramesh also said the party would continue pressing for accountability for those responsible for the alleged excesses.
Parliament is expected to witness a sharp debate if the deadlock between the treasury and opposition benches ends. The amendment bill proposes tougher punishments for examination fraud. Individuals found guilty of paper leaks or other unfair means could face imprisonment ranging from five to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 50 lakh. Organised exam fraud would attract a minimum seven-year jail term and fines of up to Rs 10 crore.
The current law, enacted in 2024 amid widespread paper leak controversies, provides for imprisonment of three to five years for cheating offences and five to 10 years, along with a minimum Rs 1 crore fine, for organised crimes. Before that legislation, there was no dedicated law dealing with unfair practices in central government examinations. The new bill has been listed for introduction, consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha on Monday, an uncommon scheduling practice.
The government decided to amend the law after protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the alleged NEET paper leak gathered momentum, while opposition protests over the issue disrupted Parliament during the first week of the session.
The opposition has not yet announced whether it will support the bill. Gandhi said on Saturday that the Congress would decide its position only after consultations within the INDIA bloc, adding that the alliance functions through consensus in Parliament.
Following the resignation of the education minister and the government's acceptance of its other demands, the CJP on Saturday ended its 36-day agitation. Earlier, Modi had promised a law to tackle examination paper leaks and said those accused in such cases would face trial in fast-track courts.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.