Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi delivered a 50-minute speech in the Lok Sabha during the debate on the Bill addressing paper leaks, triggering repeated interruptions and a heated confrontation with the Treasury benches.
During his speech, Gandhi used terms including ‘idiot’ and ‘andhbhakt’, and alleged that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered security forces to open fire on students in Delhi.
His remarks prompted strong protests from members of the ruling party, leading to repeated disruptions in the House. Despite the uproar, the Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju rose seven times to object to Gandhi’s remarks, repeatedly citing parliamentary rules. He insisted that the Leader of the Opposition should apologise for his comments. To this, Rahul said, ‘If you want only BJP to speak in the country, then I will sit quietly.’
Speaker Om Birla also interrupted Rahul Gandhi more than 11 times during his address, warning that such language was not permissible in Parliament. Birla said the Leader of the Opposition could not use unparliamentary expressions in the House.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged the Speaker to have the objectionable remarks expunged from the official proceedings, saying the words used by Gandhi should not form part of the parliamentary record.
Rahul said, “The future of the country came out on the streets. There was no anger or hatred in the protest. They were only raising their voice. If my friends in BJP ask their children what they think about what their brothers and sisters are doing, they will also get support from their children.”
The Lok Sabha held a nine-hour debate on the Bill on Tuesday. On the opening day of the discussion, Union Minister Jitendra Singh and BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj presented the government’s case.
From the Opposition, Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi and Priyanka Gandhi, along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, took part in the debate.
5 points from Rahul’s speech: Pradhan’s resignation is a show
1. Uproar Over ‘Idiot’ and ‘Andhbhakt’ Statements
Rahul Gandhi said, ‘I spoke with many students. Especially with an 18-year-old student named Lovely. Rahul gave examples of ‘idiot’ and ‘blind devotee’ referring to that conversation. The ruling party termed it unparliamentary. Speaker Om Birla ordered these words to be removed from the proceedings.
2. Allegation of firing on students against Home Minister
Rahul alleged that during student protests in Delhi, the Home Minister permitted firing and pellet guns. Kiren Rijiju called it a serious and baseless allegation and demanded an apology from Rahul.
3. Rahul said – Pradhan’s resignation is just a show
Rahul said that students’ futures are being ruined by paper leaks. He alleged that the education system is being run not by the Education Ministry, but by RSS, and Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is just a show.
4. Rahul said – The future of the country is on the streets
Rahul said that the protesting students are not fighting out of anger or hatred, but for their future and rights. He said – Children of BJP leaders will also support the students.
5. Called paper leak a failure of the system
Rahul said that papers are being leaked in one exam after another, lakhs of rupees are being taken from students and the government is unable to secure the future of the youth.
4 pictures of uproar in Lok Sabha during Rahul’s speech
Rahul narrated an anecdote about a conversation with a female student and said that the student called the third category of students blind followers.
When Rahul used the words ‘blind follower’ and ‘idiot’, Rijiju stood up and objected.
Rahul said- The Home Minister does not have the courage to come and sit here. He was sitting in the car. He was trembling.
Rajnath Singh appealed to the ruling party MPs to remain calm and listen to Rahul.
Debate between Rahul-Rijiju over permission to shoot
Rahul: The Home Minister gave permission to shoot at students. Ordered the use of pellet guns. Ordered firing at students.
Rijiju: You are speaking without thinking. Don’t speak like this. You should speak seriously. This is not right. On what basis have you made this statement. Who told you. You should apologize. A bullet was fired, this is not a small matter. How can you say that someone fired a bullet. This is a serious allegation.
Opposition MPs started sloganeering- ‘Let Rahul Gandhi speak, let Rahul Gandhi speak.’
Akhilesh Yadav: If the Leader of Opposition has made serious allegations, then it becomes the government’s responsibility to investigate who behaved like this with the students.
Rijiju: You demand an investigation, but Rahul Gandhi is directly making allegations against the Home Minister. You will have to apologize. A false allegation has been made.
Rahul said outside Parliament – If Shah did not order firing, then come to the House
After his speech in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said in the Parliament premises – Home Minister Shah did not come to the House, whereas he should have answered about the police action on students.
Rahul said, “If the Home Minister has not given any order, then he should come to the House and clarify that he has not given any such instruction. The most important thing is that I have the right to speak in Parliament and I should get that right.”
