SP MP Awadhesh Prasad has raised questions on the intentions of the BJP government regarding the anti-paper leak law. He said that not the provisions of the law, but the will of the government will decide its implementation. He also reminded the promise of 2 crore jobs.
New Delhi [भारत]July 30 (ANI): Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad on Thursday questioned the implementation of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. He alleged that despite the law being passed by the Lok Sabha, the intentions of the BJP government towards students and youth are “not right”.
Questions raised on the intentions of the government
Speaking to ANI ahead of the deliberations on the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Prasad said the effectiveness of the law will depend not on its provisions, but on the government’s willingness to implement it. Prasad said, “There are many laws passed and made in the country which are not being implemented today. So, a lot depends on the intention, the will, and a lot depends on who has the responsibility of implementing these laws, who has the power.”
He further said, “I have to say with regret that the intention and desire of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is our government, is not good towards the students and youth of our country. If it was so, the Honorable Prime Minister had said long ago, we will give 2 crore jobs every year. So 10-12 years have passed… leave alone jobs, jobs have been snatched away. So the main thing is that the law has been passed, of course, but there are doubts and doubts over its implementation.”
Strict provisions in the bill
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 is likely to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. A day earlier, it was passed in the Lok Sabha after a long debate, which saw heated exchanges between the ruling party and the opposition over the paper leak and alleged police action against student protesters. The bill seeks to strengthen the legal framework against examination-related malpractices by increasing punishment for offenders. It proposes imprisonment of not less than five years, which may extend to ten years, and the maximum fine for individuals has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
For organized exam-related offences, the proposed law has increased the minimum imprisonment to seven years, extendable to ten years, while the maximum fine has been increased from Rs 1 crore to Rs 10 crore. It also has a provision for constitution of a Special Task Force to investigate paper leak cases, mandate to complete the investigation within two months, and a provision for a special fast track court to conclude the trial within three months of filing of the charge sheet.
Condemnation of police action on students
Prasad also supported Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s remarks targeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged police action during the July 20 student protests. He said that the Home Minister should have been present in the Lok Sabha during the debate. Prasad said, “When this matter was being discussed yesterday, the Honorable Home Minister should have come, because the Home Department is under him. It would have become clear what was the situation that had arisen that the police had to open fire, use tear gas and use batons… The entire country wanted to know what was the situation that had arisen when the students were sitting peacefully.”
He further said, “He did not come… His stand on this matter is right. The whole country is discussing that the BJP government has opened fire, lathi charge and tear gas shells on innocent students, which will be very costly for the Bharatiya Janata Party.” The discussion on the bill is expected to begin at 2 pm in the Rajya Sabha and last for about seven hours, with opposition leaders including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leader Mukul Wasnik expected to participate. (ANI)
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