New Delhi, July 29: The monsoon session of Parliament witnessed significant uproar on Wednesday during discussions on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi made several sharp remarks regarding the education system, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the police actions during the student protests on July 20. His statements drew strong objections from the ruling party.
Gandhi asserted that the Ministry of Education is effectively run by the RSS. He alleged that vice-chancellors affiliated with the RSS are being appointed in every university, restricting students’ ability to think freely and progress.
He then raised the issue of violence and police action during the students’ ‘Chalo Parliament’ march on July 20. Gandhi accused the Home Minister of ordering the use of pellet guns against the students. This claim prompted ruling party MPs to stand up in protest, creating a ruckus in the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed strong objection to Gandhi’s statement, emphasizing that naming the Home Minister directly is a serious allegation. He demanded either an apology or clarification on the basis of his claims.
Rijiju stated, “Show us the order in which the Home Minister directed any officer to fire or use pellet guns. Provide the order number and submit the documents to the House.”
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla remarked that personal accusations without prior notice and factual basis cannot be made in the House. He urged Gandhi to focus on discussing the bill and to base his statements on facts.
The Speaker added, “As the Leader of the Opposition, whatever is said in the House becomes part of the record for years. Therefore, please adhere to decorum and rules.”
In response, Gandhi maintained that the use of force by security personnel is under the Home Minister’s orders, not anyone else’s. During this exchange, opposition MPs began chanting “Home Minister, answer us,” escalating the chaos in the House.
Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav supported Gandhi, stating that if the Leader of the Opposition has made serious allegations against the government, it is the government’s responsibility to clarify under whose orders the police acted against the students.
However, Kiren Rijiju reiterated that while demanding an investigation is one thing, directly accusing a minister is unacceptable.
As the uproar continued, Speaker Om Birla suspended the Lok Sabha proceedings until 2:30 PM.
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