The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 5 pm on Monday after persistent sloganeering by Opposition members disrupted proceedings, preventing a discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.
The adjournment marked the third disruption of the day, with the House repeatedly witnessing protests from Opposition benches following the introduction of the anti-paper leak Bill by the Centre.
Appealing to members to maintain the dignity and decorum of the House, Speaker Om Birla urged Opposition MPs to return to their seats and participate in the debate instead of raising slogans and displaying placards.
Stressing the importance of the legislation, Birla said 91 amendments had been moved to the Bill and offered a dedicated six-hour discussion, with the possibility of extending the debate further depending on the “sense of the House.”
Describing the proposed legislation as significant for the country’s youth, the Speaker said it was aimed at curbing paper leaks and strengthening the integrity of public examinations.
“The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, is important for the youth and is meant to curb paper leaks. You should express your views on this issue, not raise slogans; you have been elected to discuss the issue in the House,” Birla said.
Thanking the Speaker for allocating time for the debate, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju questioned why the Opposition was preventing a discussion despite several members having submitted amendment notices on the Bill.
“So many amendment notices have been received. This means that many members want to express their views on this important Bill. You also expressed your willingness to give sufficient time. So, why are they (Opposition) raising these slogans to stop the discussion? I don’t understand this,” Rijiju said.
He said students across the country were closely watching Parliament’s proceedings and argued that delaying the debate would send a “very wrong message” about the House’s commitment to tackling examination-related malpractices.
Rijiju also appealed to the Opposition to allow the House to take up the legislation, saying the government was prepared for a discussion for as long as the Speaker considered necessary.
Before adjourning the House, Birla urged leaders of all political parties to hold consultations and arrive at a consensus so that the Bill could be taken up later in the day.
“I urge the leaders of all major parties to discuss the matter and build consensus. We want this issue to be debated. I am giving you another three hours today. The government and all parties should reach a consensus by 5 p.m. so that the Bill can be taken up then,” Birla said.
(With inputs from agencies)
