Opposition to keep pressure on Amit Shah attend debate on paper leak bill

Union Home Minister Amit Shah. File | Photo credit: ANI

On the first day of parliament after student protests were called off, the opposition signaled it would continue to attack Home Minister Amit Shah over police use of firearms and excessive force against protesting students. However, there were differences on whether to disrupt or participate in the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Malpractice) Amendment Act, 2026 at the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance bloc meeting on Monday, though it was later decided that the parties should present their views.

Also read | Government introduces Paper Leak Bill; Parliament will discuss it on July 28

Samajwadi Party sources said the opposition should also demand a debate on the Ram Temple donation theft case. According to sources, SP Chief Whip Dharmendra Yadav said during the meeting that the issue should not be allowed to be buried. However, a significant section of opposition leaders, according to sources, were of the view that they should continue to focus on political issues such as education. If they got into the Ram Temple issue, it would open them up for counter attacks and help communalize the story. “Students have done their job. We must not let them down,” said a senior opposition leader.

Opposition leaders shared details of incidents of “police brutality” in their respective states, including an incident of police using AK-47s in Bihar. It was also decided that during the debate on the legislation, known colloquially as the “Paper Leak Act”, these cases must be highlighted.

The opposition also resolved that its parliamentary strategy should include not only coordination at the floor level but also coordination of agitations outside the parliamentary premises.

Among those pushing for opposition participation in the paper leak bill debate was Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) MP NK Premachandran. He explained the technical aspects of the bill to those gathered. Later, speaking to The Hindu, he said, “This bill is an eyewash. Apart from increasing the fine and jail term, it does not introduce any substantive changes. The Center has in fact inserted provisions that effectively restrict states from being spectators, including a clause allowing for the creation of a task force to investigate paper leaks that will be solely under the Union government.”

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which has been skipping meetings of the INDIA bloc since the Congress left the alliance in Tamil Nadu, also expressed a similar view on the bill. “The law already exists. I wonder what action has been taken so far under the existing law. Changing the law, increasing the fine or imprisonment is not the solution. DMK’s firm stand is that NEET must be scrapped,” said senior DMK leader and Rajya Sabha floor leader Tiruchi Siva. He added that the DMK will participate in the debate and fight it on the floor of the Parliament.

Seven hours were set aside in both houses for the debate on this bill.

Published – 27 Jul 2026 22:24 IST