New Delhi, Jul 31: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of intimidating the country’s youth and suppressing the voices of students protesting against examination irregularities.
In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi alleged that the government was using police action and legal measures to silence members of Generation Z who have been demonstrating over issues related to paper leaks and examination reforms.
Addressing the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, Gandhi said the country’s youth represent India’s future and warned that their concerns should not be ignored. He also claimed that FIRs were being filed against student protesters and that their social media accounts were being removed as part of an effort to curb dissent.
The Congress leader’s remarks came a day after Prime Minister Modi defended the Centre’s decision to strengthen laws against examination fraud, asserting that comprehensive reforms had become essential to safeguard students’ futures.
In a video message released after Parliament approved amendments to the anti paper leak legislation, the Prime Minister said repeated examination leaks had emerged as a serious national challenge affecting students as well as governments at both the Centre and state levels.
Modi said the newly amended law fulfils the government’s commitment to take strict action against organised paper leak networks and those attempting to manipulate public examinations. He reiterated that authorities would show no leniency towards individuals or groups involved in such offences.
The Prime Minister also highlighted a series of measures being introduced to improve the examination system, including the formation of a high-level task force, the establishment of fast track courts and consultations with state governments to strengthen safeguards against future irregularities.
Parliament on Thursday passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, introducing tougher penalties for organised paper leaks and related offences. The legislation was approved by the Rajya Sabha through a voice vote after several opposition parties from the INDIA bloc staged a walkout during the proceedings.
The latest exchange reflects the continuing political confrontation over examination reforms and the handling of nationwide student protests, with the government maintaining that stricter legal provisions are necessary to protect the integrity of public examinations, while the opposition continues to question the administration’s response to protesting students.