Priyanka Gandhi Questions Pellet Gun Use On Students In Parliament Over Paper Leak Bill

Congress Member of Parliament Priyanka Gandhi Vadra delivered a powerful and confrontational speech in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026. Her address was marked by sharp questions directed at the treasury benches regarding the treatment of students and the recurring issue of paper leaks that has plagued the nation's education system. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the government's approach towards the youth, specifically highlighting the use of force during student protests, while she asked with great intensity whether the students were considered terrorists, given the reported use of pellet guns and AK-47s against them. She demanded to know who authorized such measures, specifically asking if the order came from the Prime Minister or the Home Minister, stating that the entire country is seeking an answer to this question.

Questions on Force and Accountability

During her speech, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra emphasized that the demand for action against paper leaks is entirely legitimate and shouldn't be met with violence. She pointed out that while students were protesting peacefully for their rights and future, they were subjected to lathi charges and the use of pellet guns. She questioned the government's fear of the youth and criticized the act of mocking the pain of those who are suffering due to systemic failures. She asserted that this isn't just a concern for the Congress party but a matter of national importance as it involves the future of millions of students. She challenged the government to identify the authority responsible for the decision to use pellet guns on young citizens who were merely asking for a fair examination process.

Allegations of Systemic Saffronization and Centralization

The Congress leader leveled serious allegations against the government regarding the composition of the education system. She claimed that the system has been hollowed out by filling it with RSS preachers and individuals aligned with a specific ideology. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra argued that the forced implementation of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the excessive centralization of the examination system have only served to complicate matters further rather than solving them. She stated that this centralization has led to a lack of transparency and has contributed to the frequent failures in conducting fair examinations. According to her, the education system is being used as a tool for ideological propagation rather than being a strong platform for learning and merit-based selection.

Financial Discrepancies and Budgetary Concerns

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra presented startling figures regarding the financial aspects of the education sector. 32 lakh crore is collected from NEET students alone. She highlighted a concerning trend where the share of the education budget in the total national budget is actually decreasing every year instead of increasing. This financial disparity, she argued, shows a lack of genuine commitment from the government towards the welfare of students and the improvement of educational infrastructure, while she criticized the government for focusing on PR and external appearances while the core of the education system remains underfunded and mismanaged.

The Human Cost and Lack of Punishment

In a poignant moment of her speech, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra mentioned the human cost of the examination failures. She referred to a family in Maharashtra that was mourning the death of their daughter, contrasting this tragedy with the celebratory welcome given to a former education minister in the house. She questioned the government's sense of pride and arrogance in the face of such tragedies, suggesting that there should be a sense of shame instead of celebration. She further noted that in the last decade, there have been 152 instances of paper leaks, affecting crores of students across the country. Despite the scale of these failures, she alleged that not a single member of the paper leak mafia or any guilty individual has been adequately punished, leading to a complete failure of the examination system.

Critique of the New Bill and Advice to the PM

Regarding the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed skepticism about its effectiveness. She stated that simply passing a bill or forming committees wouldn't stop paper leaks. She criticized the composition of government committees, alleging that they even include experts on cow urine rather than focusing on educational expertise. She advised the Prime Minister to change his advisors and suggested that the system should be filled with truly educated and competent individuals. She also dismissed the idea of fast-track courts for paper leak cases, noting that the existing record of fast-track courts is already poor. She concluded by saying that the Gen Z generation won't tolerate lies and that the government must take concrete steps to restore the integrity of the examination system.