'Protests Were Deep Expression Of India's Youth': Rahul Gandhi Debates Anti-Paper Leaks Law In Lok Sabha

Published 29 July 2026 · politics

'Protests Were Deep Expression Of India's Youth': Rahul Gandhi Debates Anti-Paper Leaks Law In Lok Sabha Published By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 13:26 IST

'Protests Were Deep Expression Of India's Youth': Rahul Gandhi Debates Anti-Paper Leaks Law In Lok Sabha Published By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 13:26 IST Rahul Gandhi defended the nationwide student protests during the Lok Sabha debate on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill, saying they were a deep expression of India's youth. Rapid Read Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi addresses the Lok Sabha during the debate on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill, saying the nationwide student protests were a "deep expression" of India's youth and urging all political parties to respect their voice. (Photo: PTI) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the recent student protests reflected the aspirations of India’s youth and should be respected by all political parties. Participating in the debate on the proposed amendments to the anti-paper leak law, Gandhi said he felt reassured after witnessing students taking to the streets over the NEET controversy. “I was very excited, reassured by what the future of this country did on our streets. This was not anger, not violence, not hatred. This was a deep expression of the youth of this country, of the future generation of this country," Gandhi said.

Calling for a bipartisan approach, he added, “I feel that all political parties must respect this expression, including my friends in the BJP." The Congress leader said he believed even BJP leaders’ children would sympathise with the protesting students. “I am pretty certain that if my friends in the BJP were to go and ask their own children what they felt about what their brothers and sisters were doing, they would find agreement among their own children." Gandhi said there was nothing objectionable about the protests. “There is nothing wrong with what has happened, and every Indian should be proud." Beginning his speech on the next generation, Gandhi recalled a conversation with a group of young women students that, he said, shaped his perspective. He said he asked one of the students what it meant to be a student, whether it simply meant studying in a school or college or reading books. According to Gandhi, the student explained that there are broadly two kinds of people, those who are willing to learn and those who refuse to listen. Referring to the interaction, Gandhi said that anyone with a thirst to learn is a student, and that the pursuit of truth is the defining goal of a student.

ANTI-PAPER LEAK BILL DEBATE IN LOK SABHA The Lok Sabha resumed discussion on Wednesday on the bill seeking to amend the anti-paper leak law, with Rahul Gandhi participating in the debate. The debate resumed at noon after the House witnessed disruptions earlier in the day, with opposition members demanding the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah. Speaker Om Birla appealed to members to return to their seats and allow proceedings to continue. Opening the debate, JD(U) MP Dileshwar Kamait praised the proposed amendments, describing them as a “Sudarshan Chakra" against those involved in paper leaks. Independent MP Pappu Yadav, who is aligned with the Congress, alleged that several students had died by suicide while lakhs slipped into depression following the NEET retest, claiming the question paper had undergone a qualitative change. The amendment bill was introduced on Monday, days after nationwide student protests over the NEET controversy culminated in the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Education Minister. The proposed amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act seek stricter punishment of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh for those involved in paper leaks.