UGC Abolition Bill & Opposition Protests

Bihar Opposition leaders protest against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and demand his resignation over the issue of NEET paper leak, at the Bihar State Assembly The Monsoon session of the Bihar Assembly has started today.

Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan says, “We demand a resignation. The government must accept accountability on moral grounds; this is a matter of moral responsibility, and we stand with the nation’s youth. Dharmendra Pradhan should resign.”

In an official post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh slammed PM Modi by saying that PM Modi failed to address several issues which included, Ram Mandir donation theft & NEET UG 2026 paper leak.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to increase the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned shortly after proceedings resumed on Monday after Opposition members staged a protest following remarks by Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge.

Kharge alleged that the government was suppressing the voices of protesting students by using police force at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. “Another pressing issue is the government trying to silence thousands of students by lathi-charging them at Jantar Mantar,” he said, triggering uproar in the House.

The Congress president also made remarks against the treasury benches, alleging that “supporters of chanda chori” were seated there.

On Bill to make insult to Vande Mataram criminal offence, Congress MP Manickam Tagore says, “The problem with RSS and all the Sanghis is that they want to pressurise people to believe in the idea of India. Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Sardar Patel, Netaji worked for India, which is celebrated by all. Pressuring people to do one thing is followed in ‘shakha’, where they were not singing the national anthem and hoisting the national flag for more than 50 years. This misuse of the office of Home Minister is unacceptable.”

Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya says, “Our heritage provides us with direction and philosophy… Our manuscripts constitute our heritage; they are currently housed in temples, institutions, colleges, monasteries, Jain repositories, and private museums. To preserve, digitise, facilitate research on, and make these manuscripts accessible to the public, Modi ji launched the ‘Gyan Bharat Mission.’ Under this mission, a survey of over ten million (one crore) manuscripts has been conducted across the country. Of these, 80 million (eight crore) have been digitised, and 374,000 have already been uploaded. Furthermore, as Member Sudesh mentioned, manuscripts in local languages ​​will also be included in the survey, subjected to research, and digitised.”

On the Vande Mataram Bill, Congress MP Imran Masood says, “Nobody insults ‘Vande Mataram’ in this country. The govt could have included ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’ in it as well. Have they not done it because it is in Urdu?”

On Delimitation Bill, BJP MP Ashok Chavan says, “Numbers matter in a democracy. Today, NDA has numbers. A few of the TMC MPs are on our side, perhaps a few MPs of DMK are also supporting. Everything will be clear in the Parliament session…”

On the Monsoon session of Parliament, PM Narendra Modi says, “When arguments and facts are sound, one can make one’s voice heard effectively even with a calm demeanour. I hope that the House’s deliberations will be enriched by such arguments and facts. May every voice find an opportunity, and may every idea be respected. I invite all Members of Parliament to participate enthusiastically in the proceedings of this House.”

On the Monsoon session of Parliament, PM Narendra Modi says, “I am firmly convinced that where there are facts and logic, there is no room for a storm.”

He also mentioned, “”Positive spirit is essential for achieving the nation’s goals. Our House has very experienced Members of Parliament. Regardless of their party affiliation, they possess a wealth of experience. At a time like this, both Parliament and the country need their experience and knowledge. “

On the Monsoon session of Parliament, PM Narendra Modi says, “It is the result of the country boarding the Reform Express that India’s youth are able to show such great courage and achieve success. Recently, a massive oil refinery was dedicated to the nation in Rajasthan. Just a few weeks ago, a semiconductor plant, the third one, was dedicated to the country. Not long ago, a green hydrogen-powered train was dedicated to the citizens; very few countries in the world possess this facility. Yet, the hydrogen train that India has introduced features the most powerful engine and is the longest of its kind. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of India’s scientists, engineers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and workers, all of whom are living and working with a shared goal for the nation.”

SP MP Rajeev Rai says, “There is mass outrage against this coward and oppressive Govt. From murdering democracy to crushing the future of youth, this Govt is oppressive. They did not even let alone Lord Ram. From streets to Parliament, there will be protest against this Govt at every step…PM used to speak only when he went for Pranpratishtha of Ram Temple. Now he is speechless. Why is he not speaking now?…”

When asked if SP will participate in CJP’s protest, he says, “We went there yesterday itself to support. We will do whatever is decided in the meeting today.”

SP MP Ramji Lal Suman says, “Protest has been ongoing at Jantar Mantar over the matter of paper leak, we know about Sonam Wangchuk. So, these are really important issues and should be discussed. There was donation theft in Ayodhya, why is the PM silent over it? There are issues of unemployment and inflation too and we want a discussion on these. If the Govt is ready, then there will be a discussion. Otherwise, there will be disruption and the Govt will be responsible for it…”

PM Narendra Modi says, “…India’s youth have embarked on a new journey into space. I was told that the average age of the entire team working at the ‘Skyroot’ startup is merely 28 years. Young people like these have accomplished this feat. I am not speaking of a 56-year-old youth.”

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi says, “For several days now, it can be seen that the Government is not ready for a discussion on any of the basic issues. So, they have not been able to say to date whether the Ram Mandir issue will be discussed in Parliament, or whether the NEET issue will be discussed. The entire country knows that these are the basic issues for this monsoon session, but the Govt has no agenda or Business.”

On the Monsoon session of Parliament, PM Narendra Modi says, “Be it the monsoon or the monsoon session- if both are proactive, they prove to be highly productive. And when both are productive, it leads to the welfare of the nation and the well-being of all living beings. That is why we pray that the monsoon remains both proactive and productive, and that the monsoon session proves productive as well.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Whether it is the monsoon or the Monsoon Session, if both are proactive, they become highly productive and contribute to the nation’s welfare. We hope and pray that both the monsoon and the Monsoon Session remain productive.”

Rajya Sabha: Bill proposes making insults to Vande Mataram a punishable offence

The government is set to introduce the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill seeks to extend the legal protection currently available to the national flag, national anthem, and Constitution under the 1971 Act to the national song, Vande Mataram.

If passed, insulting Vande Mataram or preventing its singing would become a punishable offence, carrying up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Lok Sabha: Bill to raise Supreme Court judges’ strength to replace ordinance

The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 will be introduced in the Lok Sabha to increase the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges (including the Chief Justice of India).

The Bill will replace the ordinance issued in May, under which five new judges have already been appointed. As it only amends an existing law, it requires a simple majority in Parliament and does not need a constitutional amendment.

Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi arrives at the Parliament for the Monsoon Session.

SP MP Dharmendra Yadav says, “We have a meeting of the party right now. However, all our colleagues have given notice on the serious issues in the country and demanded a discussion. Let’s see how much the Speaker allows and how much the Govt is ready for discussion.”

“We support the protest march (of CJP). Under the leadership of Dimple Yadav, we had gone to Jantar Mantar and extended support to the youth. SP MPs are going in groups and extending continuous support.”

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has allotted separate seats to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs. According to Lok Sabha Secretariat sources, 39 MPs have been assigned new seats, with other members also shifted to accommodate the changes.

The seats of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, YSR Congress MP PV Mithun Reddy, and Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal have also been changed.

The government has listed seven Bills for the Monsoon Session—two pending and five new. They include the PM/CM removal Bill, Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, One Nation, One Election Bill, Delimitation Constitutional Amendment Bill, and the Women’s Reservation Bill.

1. PM/CM removal Bill: Unlikely to be passed as it is under review by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The panel deferred its draft report on 17 July and sought further discussion. 2. Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill: Also unlikely, as the JPC has postponed its report pending consultations with stakeholders. 3. One Nation, One Election Bill: Under JPC review, with stakeholder consultations still underway. 4. Delimitation and Women’s Reservation Bills: The government can introduce them at any time, but passage requires a two-thirds majority, which it currently does not have.

According to reports, the government is trying to win support from the DMK and Sharad Pawar’s party, including by offering the DMK written assurances on delimitation in the Constitution Amendment Bill.

The Bills require a two-thirds majority in both Houses—360 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 161 in the Rajya Sabha.

The 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill and the Delimitation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introduced during the special session, failed to secure the required majority and were not passed.

BJP leader and advocate Karunasagar says, “India’s move to table the Prevention of Insult to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, is welcome. It will help prevent insults to, and give due honour to, the national song on a par with the national anthem. The national song, Vande Mataram, is not just a song; it is a fiery war cry that inspired countless freedom fighters to fight for freedom and sacrifice their lives for the nation. No one has the right to dishonour or disrespect the national song. After the bill is passed and comes into effect, it will give the same respect and honour to the national song as the national anthem…”

Aazad Samaj Party – Kanshi Ram chief and MP Chandra Shekhar Aazad says, “Government is following its ‘dharma’, Police are following their ‘dharma’ and I am a part of this struggle to do my duty towards this soil. As an Indian youth, I understand the pain of the youth. I am here to be their voice and stand with them. Injustice is being done to them. Government is letting this happen…”

Security tightened outside Parliament in view of a proposed march to Parliament by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) today, on 20th July, on the first day of Monsoon Session.

1. 42 more MPs will have to be gathered: 42 opposition MPs should join the NDA through defection, merger, or support, or form a separate group and support.

2. Opposition MPs remain absent Doing so will reduce the effective number of members in Parliament. Then the two-thirds figure will come down to 318. For this, 62 out of a total of 75 MPs from SP (37), DMK (22), NCP-Sharad (8), and TMC (8) will have to be made absent. 7 independent and 10 MPs from smaller parties are also being watched. If needed, an attempt may be made to keep some MPs from Congress (98) absent as well.

1. 11 more members will have to be gathered The current effective strength of the Rajya Sabha is 244 (1 seat vacant). The two-thirds majority figure for a constitutional amendment is 163. The government/NDA has 152 members. In such a situation, it will have to gather the support of 11 more members through defection or other cooperation.

2. Opposition members remain absent If members of the opposition or other parties remain absent during voting, the effective strength will decrease, and the two-thirds figure will also come down. According to the current math, for the government’s 152 votes to be sufficient, at least 16 members would need to be absent.

Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh says, “…We will not allow Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to speak in the House until a robust system is established to guarantee that NEET exams or indeed any competitive examination will never be compromised by leaks again. Our stance is that we fully support whatever decision our National President takes…”