Parliament Monitors Judicial Expansion and Exam Reforms Amid Temple Funding Controversy
Legislators face a packed agenda as the Lok Sabha reviews the Supreme Court Judges Bill while the Rajya Sabha evaluates anti-cheating measures. Meanwhile, Opposition leaders are coordinating a formal push to investigate alleged financial irregularities within the Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust.
Legislative Agenda: Judicial Caps and Examination Integrity
The Lok Sabha turned its attention to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, on Thursday, July 30, 2026. This legislative effort to adjust the top court’s bench strength coincided with the delivery of two Standing Committee on External Affairs reports. These documents provide government responses regarding diplomatic strategies with Bangladesh and India’s strategic footprint in the Arctic and Antarctic territories.
Concurrently, the Rajya Sabha shifted focus to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. The upper house looks to finalize this legislation following its voice-vote approval by the Lok Sabha on July 29. Union Minister Jitendra Singh defended the government's stance during earlier debates, notably asserting that no students faced gunfire during recent protests.
Opposition Challenges Shift to Financial Accountability
Member of Parliament Randeep Singh Surjewala filed a formal notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha on July 30, 2026, demanding an immediate halt to scheduled business. The Congress MP is pushing for a transparent inquiry into allegations of embezzlement and theft involving donations managed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Surjewala argued that the alleged corruption represents a betrayal of millions of devotees who funded the institution through private and public contributions.
- Samajwadi Party Advocacy: The SP initiated protests within the Parliament House complex on July 29, 2026, successfully gaining broader INDIA bloc support to spotlight the temple donation issue.
- Bicameral Strategy: The Opposition plans to initiate debates in the Lok Sabha today, with Rajya Sabha discussions slated to follow the conclusion of the examinations bill.
- Anti-Defection Reform: MP Manish Tewari moved an Adjournment Motion in the Lok Sabha to debate a new legal framework governing political defections. Tewari’s proposal seeks to prevent opportunistic party-switching while protecting the rights of lawmakers to express honest dissent.
Source: The Hindu — National
