Government, opposition clash over paper leak bill in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday saw a heated debate over a bill to strengthen penalties for exam paper leaks, with the government calling it a milestone and the opposition dismissing it as a cosmetic exercise. Congress deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi questioned why the government was amending a law it had hailed as historic just two years ago. Opposition members voiced support for student protests against paper leaks and criticized police actions during recent demonstrations. Government speakers countered by citing multiple past leak incidents and highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reform efforts in the education sector. They argued that the proposed law aims to protect student welfare and ensure fair competitive exams by imposing stricter penalties on organized gangs and individuals involved in leaks. The bill, debated after a period of stalemate between the ruling party and opposition, seeks to create a robust legal framework to prevent cheating. Both sides remained entrenched, with no immediate resolution. The debate is set to continue as the government pushes for the legislation, which it says will address concerns over recurring leaks that have affected millions of students across the country.