Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, July 27

The Indian government introduced legislation in parliament on Monday to toughen penalties for examination paper leaks, as opposition lawmakers protested alleged police excesses during recent student demonstrations in the capital.

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Jitendra Singh amid repeated disruptions.

The proposed amendments seek to increase the prison term for those involved in examination paper leaks to between five and 10 years, from the existing three to five years. The maximum fine would also rise to 50 lakh rupees from 10 lakh rupees.

The bill was cleared by the federal cabinet last week, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for tougher action in response to nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned shortly after the legislation was introduced following protests by opposition lawmakers. Parliament is expected to take up detailed discussion of the bill on Tuesday, with six hours allocated for debate and additional time available if required.

The protests have also kept alive a dispute over police action against demonstrators at a July 20 gathering at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which recently called off its agitation following an agreement with the government, warned that it could resume protests, alleging that authorities had breached assurances that peaceful demonstrators would face no legal action.

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka alleged that hundreds of students had been arrested in Bihar and West Bengal, while others were being harassed or kept under surveillance in Delhi and elsewhere.

The party demanded the withdrawal of all FIRs against protesters, the release of detained students and a written assurance that no new cases would be registered against those who took part in peaceful demonstrations.

Separately, education reform campaigner Sonam Wangchuk, speaking at Rajghat after leaving hospital, said the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was “just the beginning” and expressed hope that the ongoing discussions would result in wider reforms to the country’s education system.

Wangchuk welcomed the proposed amendments to the Public Examinations Act but said they should be thoroughly debated before coming into force.

He also stressed that peaceful protest was a constitutional right, while calling for firm action against those who deliberately engage in unlawful activities.