Congress Critiques New Amendments to Anti-Paper Leak Legislation
Congress Raises Concerns Over Proposed Amendments
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi addresses the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. (Photo:PTI)
New Delhi, Jul 28: On Tuesday, the Congress party expressed its discontent regarding the proposed changes to the anti-paper leak law, highlighting that despite the original legislation being enacted, incidents of question paper leaks in public examinations persist, indicating its ineffectiveness.
During the discussion on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha, Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi emphasized that students have resorted to protests, urging the government to acknowledge their distress.
He criticized the government's response to these protests, alleging the use of pellet guns and electric batons against demonstrators, and raised concerns about the treatment of female protesters by the police.
Gogoi remarked, "This is merely an amendment Bill... Two years ago, the law was enacted following the NEET paper leak in 2024. At that time, the government claimed it was a groundbreaking measure to prevent such leaks. The recent leak in 2026 has demonstrated that the law has failed, and it is likely to fail again."
He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of encouraging his cabinet members to prioritize social media over addressing critical issues related to coaching centers, paper setters, and the printing press mafia.
Referring to the government's formation of a high-powered committee to investigate the matter, Gogoi questioned the status of the panel established two years ago under former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan.
"The government aims to project seriousness. It announced the removal or transfer of 47 individuals from the National Testing Agency. I want to know who these individuals are... The sanctioned strength is 34. Who are these 47 people? We deserve to know," he stated.
Gogoi also criticized BJP leaders for their warm welcome to Dharmendra Pradhan upon his return to Parliament after resigning as Union education minister.
"The same Dharmendra Pradhan was the education minister during the 2024 incident, and now he is welcomed as if he has returned from a battle. Is there no sense of shame?" Gogoi questioned.
The government introduced the Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday, shortly after widespread student protests regarding the NEET issue led to Pradhan's resignation.
The proposed amendments aim to impose harsher penalties, including up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines reaching Rs 50 lakh for those involved in paper leaks.