New Delhi, July 27 (IANS) Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday appealed to the Opposition to allow the House to function smoothly and participate in a detailed discussion on the exam amendment bill, saying the proposed legislation is aimed at safeguarding the future of students and strengthening the country's examination system.The Centre introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Monday amid intense sloganeering by the Opposition benches.Speaking to reporters after the adjournment, Rijiju accused Congress and several Opposition parties of avoiding a discussion on a legislation that directly concerns students across the country.

"Today, a very important bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, addressing the concerns of students across the country and the paper leak incident. However, the Congress Party and some Opposition parties are avoiding discussion on it. They are disrupting the proceedings of the House through sloganeering, placards, and other means," Rijiju said, when asked about the Opposition sloganeering.Appealing to the Opposition to cooperate, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already constituted a high-powered task force to recommend comprehensive reforms in the examination system and ensure strict action against those involved in paper leaks and examination-related crimes."In this direction, the government has introduced this historic and revolutionary Bill to effectively prevent such incidents from happening in the future," he said.

Rijiju further argued that preventing discussion on such legislation would send an incorrect message to students across the country, urging the Opposition to consider their concerns."If this important Bill is still not allowed to be discussed in Parliament, it will send a wrong message to the students of the country. I urge the Congress party to understand the sentiments of the students," he added.The Union Minister also said Parliament is the most appropriate platform for discussing issues of national importance and expressed disappointment over the ruckus."Even when the protests were taking place, this issue could not be discussed meaningfully in Parliament. This is neither appropriate for Parliament nor for democracy. Parliament is the highest forum for debate and discussion. If such important issues won't be discussed here, where will they be?" he said.

Renewing his appeal, Rijiju urged all political parties to set aside political differences and participate in a constructive debate on the proposed legislation."This is a historic bill. Do not disrupt the proceedings," he added.The Union Minister also called for a consensus across party lines, saying the Bill should be debated in detail and passed unanimously in the interest of students. "All parties should express their views and unanimously pass this Bill," he said.Responding to the Opposition's demand that Union Home Minister Amit Shah be held accountable for the police action against student protesters, Rijiju said the focus should remain on examination reforms and student welfare rather than shifting attention to other issues."I simply want to say, don't deviate from the topic. The highest priority at this time is the welfare of the country's students. The comprehensive reforms that have been implemented to make our examination system more robust, transparent, and reliable should be seriously discussed in Parliament," he said.The Minister further urged the Opposition not to divert attention from the proposed legislation, maintaining that students' interests should remain the central focus of Parliament's deliberations."Please do not try to divert the issue or change the topic. The welfare of students, their future, and their interests should be our top priority at this time. No other topic should be brought up in Parliament at this time, as this will divert attention from the core issue," he said."Our priority is to pass this Bill in favour of the students," Rijiju added.

/IANS