Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji on Tuesday criticised the Centre over the cases filed against students who participated in protests against alleged examination paper leaks. Speaking ahead of the six-hour Lok Sabha debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, Maji said the government should fulfil its promises to the country's youth instead of taking legal action against students raising genuine concerns.
Addressing reporters outside Parliament, Maji said students had been demanding transparency and accountability in the examination system after repeated allegations of paper leaks and recruitment irregularities. She argued that instead of registering cases against protesters, the government should focus on creating a fair and credible examination process and ensuring that young aspirants receive the opportunities they have been promised.
Maji welcomed the parliamentary discussion on the anti-paper leak legislation but stressed that passing a law alone would not be enough. According to her, the government must explain why examination paper leaks have continued to occur and what concrete measures are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future. She also urged the Centre to review the criminal cases filed against student protesters, saying their concerns deserve to be heard rather than met with legal action.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, seeks to strengthen the existing law by introducing stricter punishments for paper leak offences, time-bound investigations, Special Task Forces, fast-track courts and enhanced penalties for those found guilty of organised examination fraud. The government has maintained that the legislation is aimed at protecting the integrity of public examinations and restoring confidence in the recruitment and examination system.
The issue of student protests has become a key point of contention during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Opposition parties, including the JMM, Congress and other INDIA bloc members, have demanded accountability over the handling of demonstrations while expressing support for stronger safeguards against examination malpractice. They have also sought answers from the government over the police action taken against protesters in recent weeks.
The debate on the anti-paper leak Bill is expected to witness sharp exchanges between the government and the Opposition, with discussions likely to focus not only on preventing examination fraud but also on broader issues of student rights, transparency in public examinations and the government's response to nationwide protests over alleged paper leaks and recruitment irregularities.
