Akhilesh Yadav Likens Protest Crackdown to Emergency-Era Oppression

Samajwadi Party president and Lok Sabha MP Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the debate on The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, alleging that the government had acted against students protesting over the NEET paper leak and comparing the police response to the Emergency. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Yadav claimed that the treatment meted out to protesters was as severe as, if not worse than, what was witnessed during the Emergency.

During his speech, Yadav criticised the government's handling of the protests, alleging that students were subjected to excessive force by law enforcement. He claimed that while protesters faced baton charges during the Emergency, the recent demonstrations also witnessed the use of electric stun devices, referring to them as "current" being used against students. The remarks were made as Parliament debated amendments aimed at strengthening measures to prevent unfair practices in public examinations.

The exchange intensified after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju questioned Yadav's stance during the debate. Rijiju asked whether the Samajwadi Party leader would support a government introducing legislation to address students' concerns or one associated with the imposition of the Emergency. The intervention led to a heated exchange in the House as members from both the treasury and opposition benches defended their respective positions.

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Akhilesh Yadav also took aim at the BJP over the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, suggesting the move was politically motivated. In a pointed remark, he said the government had "removed Pradhan to save the Pradhan Mantri," implying that the resignation was intended to shield the Prime Minister from criticism over the handling of the alleged NEET paper leak controversy. The comment drew reactions from members across the House.

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, has been introduced amid nationwide concern over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, particularly the NEET paper leak case. The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen the legal framework for preventing examination malpractice and ensuring greater transparency and accountability in public recruitment and entrance examinations.

The debate on the Bill witnessed sharp exchanges between the government and the opposition, with both sides presenting contrasting views on the response to the protests and the measures required to restore public confidence in the examination system. While the government maintained that the legislation would help curb unfair practices, opposition leaders continued to question the administration's handling of the protests and demanded greater accountability over the alleged examination irregularities.

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