Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge (Img: X)
New Delhi: The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, has taken up cudgels against Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his alleged absence from Parliament and for keeping quiet over the security forces' action against protestors belonging to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
This comes at a time when Kharge is delivering a speech in the Upper House in the discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.
Delhi: Congress President and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge: Iska zimmedaar aap hain, Home Minister hain. Aap band kamre mein rehkar meri baat sun rahe honge, lekin aap bahut din tak band kamre mein chup nahi sakte. Ek din hum aapko bahar kheench kar layenge.
(Source:… pic.twitter.com/LC5XRRMfXI
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) July 30, 2026
While addressing the House, Kharge raised questions regarding why Amit Shah has not spoken out about the allegations made by some sections over the actions of the police during the protests held on July 20, 'Chalo Sansad' rally.
"You are the Home Minister. It happened in Delhi. Still, in spite of all this, you did not utter a single word. Is your mouth sewed up by someone?" Kharge said.
However, these statements have raised objections among BJP members of the House, including its president JP Nadda.
According to Kharge, too much force had been used by the authorities on protesters, including students, and he demanded responsibility from the government.
"They have taken out pellet guns against children from villages, from different states; one has lost his eye, one has lost his ear, somebody has lost his hand. Who is responsible for it? It is the Home Minister who is responsible," Kharge said.
Later, he specified that he meant "dragging out" the Home Minister through people’s power and not through any personal actions.
"What I said was janshakti (people’s power), which includes students and women also. What I didn’t say was dragging out the Home Minister personally," Kharge said.
Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised Amit Shah for his absence in Parliament and silence on the issue.
Several Congress MPs have demanded an explanation from the Home Minister over the allegations of the use of force against protesters.
Speaking during the same session in Rajya Sabha, Kharge also criticized the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 for being inadequate in dealing with paper leak issues.
According to him, increased penalties alone would not solve the problems of unfair practices in exams, but reforms in the examination process were required.
"This is where real reforms will be needed and how you conduct your exams," Kharge said while opposing the amendments.
His comments have added fuel to the fire in the political standoff between the opposition and the government regarding the issue of protests, exam reforms, and the involvement of the Home Ministry.
