Rahul Targets Amit Shah Over ‘Pellet Fire’ Claims as Parliament Reconvenes; Govt Set to Table Tougher Anti-Paper Leak Bill

The Monsoon Session of Parliament is set for another turbulent day on Monday as the Congress-led INDIA bloc prepares to target Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the police action against student protesters, even as the Centre moves ahead with sweeping exam reforms through a tougher anti-paper leak law.

With former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan out of the Cabinet following the nationwide protests, the political battle is expected to shift from education to law and order. The government, meanwhile, is looking to press ahead with its reform agenda by introducing the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha.

Opposition trains guns on Amit Shah

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has accused the government of using excessive force against students during the July 20 protest near Parliament. In a letter to Amit Shah, Gandhi sought answers on the alleged use of pellet guns and the deployment of plainclothes personnel against demonstrators.

Claiming several students suffered serious injuries, including one who may lose an eye, Gandhi questioned whether the Home Minister had authorised the use of force and demanded accountability for the police action.

The issue is also set to be raised in the Rajya Sabha, with Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose submitting a Rule 267 notice seeking suspension of business for an urgent discussion on the alleged use of “lethal and semi-lethal force” against protesters.

Government to table tougher anti-paper leak law

The Centre will introduce the amended anti-paper leak bill, which proposes significantly harsher punishments for those involved in examination fraud.

Key provisions include:

• Jail terms of 5 to 10 years for individuals involved in paper leaks.
• Maximum fines increased to ₹50 lakh.
• Service providers facing penalties of up to ₹5 crore and blacklisting for up to eight years.
• Minimum seven-year imprisonment and ₹10 crore fine for organised paper leak rackets.
• Mandatory completion of investigations within two months.
• Fast-track courts to conclude trials within three months of filing the chargesheet.

The bill follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a high-level exam reforms committee headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani.

Gadkari also faces criticism

Apart from the Parliament showdown, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari is facing growing public criticism over alleged vehicle issues linked to E20 ethanol-blended fuel. A separate protest on the issue has reportedly been planned in Delhi later this week, adding another layer of political pressure on the government.