New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Use of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill after a long debate on paper leaks and the need to plug loopholes in the examination system.During the discussion, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered the use of pellet guns against protesters who attempted to march to Parliament on July 20. The government refuted the allegation and asked him to substantiate the claim.Introducing the Bill, which had already been passed by the Lok Sabha, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh listed instances of paper leaks over the years, including in states ruled by non-NDA parties. He also referred to the Nandan Nilekani-led task force, saying the government remained committed to addressing the issue.However, Kharge alleged that the government had treated protesting students inhumanely and demanded Shah's resignation.Also Read:Lok Sabha passes anti-paper leak Bill to tighten exam fraud penalties"Many students suffered pellet injuries, including injuries to their eyes and backs. I don't know about you (the government), but I felt ashamed. Who is responsible for this? It is you, Home Minister. You may be listening to me in your room, but you cannot hide for long. We will drag you out and put you before the people," Kharge said, triggering protests from Treasury Bench members.Speaking amid slogan-shouting, Kharge questioned why neither the Prime Minister nor the Home Minister had made a statement on such a major issue, adding that the Prime Minister had only posted on Instagram later that evening."Who gave the orders for the lathi charge, tear gas and use of pellet guns? You could have given a statement. If the Home Minister cannot provide a clarification, then he should resign. The Prime Minister should ask those responsible to quit or remove them from their posts," he said.Kharge also referred to the alleged use of force against protesters in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Assam, claiming that an AK-47 had been used against students in Bihar.He criticised the reception accorded to former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying he was welcomed as though "he had returned after the Kargil war — wearing a crown and smiling broadly.""If the institutions remain the same, if the NTA remains the same, then sooner or later another paper will leak somewhere," Kharge said.He suggested that competitive examinations be conducted according to a time-bound calendar, vice-chancellors should not all come from the RSS, 6% of GDP should be allocated to education, and more seats should be reserved for SC/ST students.BJP president and Leader of the House J P Nadda intervened twice, urging Kharge not to become so emotional that he ignored the facts. He also accused Kharge of making divisive and provocative remarks. Kharge's reference to the Manusmriti drew protests from Treasury Bench members, who demanded that he substantiate his comments.As the debate neared its conclusion and before the minister's reply, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said the Opposition had expected the Home Minister to respond in the House to allegations regarding the use of lathis, tear gas and pellet guns against protesters. The Congress then staged a walkout.Nadda accused the INDIA bloc of being "devoid of issues" and acting irresponsibly."They have no interest in debate or in democracy. The government is ready to discuss all issues. I condemn this," he said.Replying to the debate, Jitendra Singh said the government had brought the Bill "with all humility" and without any "prestige issue" attached to it. He described the Opposition's walkout as unfortunate and rejected several figures cited by Opposition members."This is an issue that touches every citizen of India... every parent of this country," he said.Also Read:Rajya Sabha allocates 7 hours for debate on anti-paper leak BillThe minister said the Bill would strengthen the democratisation of education and described the National Education Policy 2020 as the biggest game changer.Responding to criticism that the Bill would not eliminate paper leaks, Singh said, "Nowhere in the Bill is 'leakage' mentioned. It is about the prevention of unfair means."He said the legislation covers 16 different forms of malpractice, including fake admit cards and fake websites, and added that several recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee had already been implemented.Rejecting demands to abolish the National Testing Agency (NTA), Singh argued that most paper leaks had occurred at the state level and said the Nandan Nilekani-led task force would address systemic issues.The Bill was passed by voice vote after amendments moved by some members were defeated.During the debate, members from several parties raised concerns over the examination system.T Siva (DMK) demanded that NEET be abolished and sought answers from the government on the alleged use of pellet guns. "The Supreme Court was informed that pellet guns were used, but the government is now saying otherwise," he said.M Thambidurai (DMK) expressed concern over coaching centres turning into "mafias" and becoming involved in paper leak rackets.Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) argued that increasing punishments alone would not eliminate the crime and said the government's mistake lay in creating an overly centralised examination system that made leaks easier.Sanjay Singh (AAP) said fast-track courts would not solve the problem, noting that some cases before such courts had remained pending for as long as 15 years.Manoj Jha (RJD) questioned the government's credibility and alleged that the NDA government's moral compass was weak.John Brittas (CPI-M) criticised the government, saying that when the original anti-paper leak law was introduced two years ago, it had claimed the menace would be eliminated. He alleged that the Radhakrishnan Committee report was now gathering dust."Don't belittle these children (Gen Z). They have courage. Students were beaten in the capital of the mother of democracy. We opposed the Emergency. Now there is an undeclared Emergency. Had there not been these protests, you would not have brought this Bill in such haste," he said.Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena-UBT) said it was surprising and disappointing that many MPs who were once student leaders had distanced themselves from the protesters."The Prime Minister and the Home Minister got scared, and the Home Minister is missing. I am going to make a film about the missing Home Minister. The government will have to take responsibility for the paper leaks. Merely making this law will not solve the problem when your people occupy posts throughout the system," he said.