PTC Web Desk: The Lok Sabha witnessed heated scenes on Wednesday after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of ordering the use of force against students protesting over the NEET paper leak controversy. His remarks triggered strong protests from the Treasury benches, with BJP leaders demanding evidence and seeking that the comments be removed from the House records.

The exchange took place during the debate on the proposed anti-paper leak Bill, as Parliament discussed measures to tackle examination irregularities.

????The Home Minister ordered the shooting of our students.
????He put pellets into the blood of our students.
????He ordered the students of India to be shot.

: LoP Shri @RahulGandhi in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/DWrjb4RnRH

— Congress (@INCIndia) July 29, 2026

Rahul Gandhi targets Amit Shah during speech

While addressing the House, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Union Home Minister was responsible for the action taken against students who had protested over the alleged examination paper leaks.

He claimed that students were fired upon with pellets during the protests and alleged that such action could only have been authorised by either the Home Minister or the Prime Minister.

Rahul Gandhi further criticised Amit Shah for not being present in the Lok Sabha during the debate. He claimed that the Home Minister avoided attending the proceedings because he was "scared" and even alleged that he had seen Shah's convoy with the minister appearing nervous inside his vehicle.

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Background of the protest

The Opposition has been attacking the Narendra Modi government over the alleged paper leak issue for several weeks. Student demonstrations intensified after groups gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar to demand accountability and reforms.

The controversy escalated further following the police action during the protesters' march towards Parliament on July 20. The alleged use of pellet guns during the crackdown became another political flashpoint after a diary entry at the Parliament Street Police Station reportedly confirmed their use.

Kiren Rijiju strongly objects

Rahul Gandhi's allegations prompted an immediate response from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who questioned the basis of the Congress leader's claims.

Rijiju asked how the Leader of Opposition could make such serious allegations without evidence and repeatedly demanded to know the source of the information.

He also urged the Speaker to remove the remarks from the official record and insisted that  Rahul Gandhi apologise, arguing that such statements were inappropriate for someone holding the constitutional position of Leader of Opposition.

RSS remarks trigger another political row

The debate turned even more contentious when Rahul Gandhi criticised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing it of having significant influence over the country's education system.

He claimed that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was not the person actually running the ministry and alleged that the RSS controlled its functioning. Rahul Gandhi described the organisation as the "real enemy" and accused it of encouraging blind followers.

नेता विपक्ष श्री @RahulGandhi ने बताया 'Student' कौन है और 'Idiot' कौन है?

'Idiot' शब्द आते ही BJP के लोग हल्ला करने लगे, आखिर क्यों❓

सुनिए ???? pic.twitter.com/erpavlJK75

— Congress (@INCIndia) July 29, 2026

'Andhbhakt' comment draws objections

Rahul Gandhi also referred to a conversation he claimed to have had with an 18-year-old student while discussing the recent protests. According to him, the student classified people into three categories—students, "idiots" and "andhbhakts." Rahul Gandhi went on to describe an "andhbhakt" as someone who unquestioningly believes another person is like God and refuses to accept differing viewpoints. The remarks immediately drew protests from BJP members, who objected to the language used in the House.

Speaker terms remarks unparliamentary

As the exchange intensified, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervened and described parts of Rahul Gandhi's comments as "unparliamentary."

The Speaker later ordered the objectionable remarks to be expunged from the official proceedings of the House, bringing an end to the immediate controversy inside Parliament, although the political confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Congress continued outside the House.