Chaos in Parliament as Resigned Minister Meets Rival Slogans Over Paper Leak Scandal
Opposition lawmakers disrupted the Parliament complex on July 27, 2026, clashing with BJP members over the legacy of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The confrontation occurred as the government introduced new anti-leak legislation following the NEET examination crisis.
Dueling Receptions in the Parliament Complex
The July 27, 2026, Monsoon session opened with a polarized display in the Parliament complex as BJP leaders held a celebratory reception for former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Following his resignation sparked by the NEET examination controversy, Pradhan was gifted a traditional cap and stole while supporters chanted "Pradhan Zindabad." However, the celebratory atmosphere was immediately countered by Opposition MPs who shouted "Chor Chor, Paper Chor" (Thief, Paper Thief), signaling their refusal to move past the testing irregularities that led to his exit.
Opposition Labels Reform Efforts as Superficial
Congress leaders utilized the confrontation to attack the government’s systemic integrity. Deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi dismissed the newly introduced anti-paper leak legislation as a "cosmetic Bill." Gogoi argued that the fast-track amendment serves little purpose if the state fails to gather sufficient evidence, pointing to a previous scam where a primary culprit was released by the court. He further questioned the efficacy of a new task force led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, noting that a similar panel chaired by K. Radhakrishnan two years ago yielded no tangible results.
- New Penalties: The proposed Bill suggests up to 10 years in prison and a ₹50 lakh fine for perpetrators.
- Deadline: The legislation mandates that investigations into paper leaks must conclude within two months.
- Governance Concerns: Opposition figures claim the RSS continues to exert an ideological grip on the education ministry.
Escalating Demands for Accountability
The political friction extends beyond policy to recent enforcement actions. Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury compared the BJP's reception of Pradhan to the controversial welcome once given to individuals involved in the Bilkis Bano case, accusing the government of attempting to transform a failed official into a hero. Meanwhile, Pawan Khera alleged that Pradhan was celebrated primarily for advancing an RSS-led agenda during his tenure.
A central point of contention remains the July 20 crackdown on student protesters. Gaurav Gogoi reiterated demands for Home Minister Amit Shah to address the House regarding police conduct during that march. While Minister of State Jitendra Singh introduced the new legal amendments amid the din of the Lok Sabha, Dharmendra Pradhan remained silent when questioned by reporters about his resignation and the legislative changes.
Source: The Hindu — Home
