Rahul Gandhi Targets RSS, Amit Shah; BJP Seeks Apology
Opposition leader's use of an expunged expression and allegations against Amit Shah spark heated protests from Treasury benches
- Rahul Gandhi’s remarks during debate on anti-paper leak Bill trigger protests in Lok Sabha.
- Kiren Rijiju and Rajnath Singh object to the use of an expunged expression.
- Speaker Om Birla orders the expression removed from House records.
- BJP demands Rahul Gandhi apologise for allegations against Home Minister Amit Shah.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 29th July: A heated confrontation erupted in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi used an expression that was later expunged from the proceedings during the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, drawing strong objections from the Treasury benches.
While addressing the House, Gandhi distinguished between what he described as “students” and “others” and used an expression to describe the latter, triggering immediate protests from BJP members.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju objected to the repeated use of the expression and demanded that Gandhi stop using it. Several NDA MPs joined the protest, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also urged the Congress leader not to use the term.
Responding to the objections, Gandhi said he was not referring to any member of the House. However, the protests continued, following which Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla ordered the expression to be expunged from the official records.
Continuing his speech, Gandhi accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of influencing the country’s education system.
“RSS runs the Education Ministry, not the minister,” Gandhi alleged, claiming that students were being prevented from seeking knowledge and were instead being taught a distorted version of history.
He also targeted former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying, “Dharmendra Pradhan is just a symbol. RSS is the real enemy of our students.”
The Congress leader further accused Home Minister Amit Shah of ordering the police action against students during the July 20 protests, alleging that Shah was avoiding Parliament over the issue.
Kiren Rijiju strongly objected to the allegation and demanded that Gandhi withdraw his remarks and apologise.
“Where is the proof that Amit Shah ordered the attack on students? The Leader of Opposition cannot make wild allegations. He should take his words back and apologise,” Rijiju said.
Rahul Gandhi defended his statement, saying the use of force against students could “only be authorised by the Home Minister,” prompting fresh protests from Treasury bench members.
Speaker Om Birla repeatedly reminded the Leader of Opposition that allegations against a minister could not be made in the House without documentary evidence.
The exchanges led to prolonged disruptions during the discussion on the proposed amendments to the anti-paper leak law before the House resumed its business.
