Union Minister Jitendra Singh introduced the amendment bill related to paper leaks in the Rajya Sabha. Kharge participated in the discussion on behalf of the opposition.
A heated exchange erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday after Congress President and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks on ‘Manusmriti’ sparked protests from the Treasury benches during a debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill.
Speaking during the discussion, Kharge alleged that the influence of the RSS in educational institutions had increased and claimed that those who followed ‘Manusmriti’ were shaping the education system.
He further alleged that ‘Manusmriti’ denied Shudras the right to education, prompting strong objections from BJP members.
Union Minister JP Nadda intervened, describing Kharge’s remarks as factually incorrect and warning that such statements could create social unrest.
Following the protests, Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan directed that the remarks relating to ‘Manusmriti’ be expunged from the official records of the House.
Continuing his speech, Kharge criticised the anti-paper leak bill, arguing that it would not address the root causes of examination paper leaks.
He alleged that the proposed amendments merely increased penalties and would not prevent those responsible for leaking question papers from escaping punishment, while students would continue to suffer.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister Jitendra Singh introduced the bill in the Rajya Sabha. The legislation was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after nearly seven hours of debate.
Why did the Manusmriti controversy erupt? Claims vs facts
Claim: Mallikarjun Kharge said certain punishments are mentioned in the Manusmriti. Fact-check: The punishments he cited are from the Gautama Dharmasutra (Chapter 12, Verses 4–6), not the original Manusmriti. Kharge later clarified that they were written by Gautama Rishi.
Claim: Sudhanshu Trivedi said William Jones translated the Manusmriti in 1790 and that no earlier text is available. He also argued that modern Scheduled Castes have no connection with Vedic-era Shudras. Fact-check: William Jones published the first English translation of the Manusmriti in 1794 as Institutes of Hindu Law, or the Ordinances of Menu. The book is available in the public domain through Google Books, Internet Archive and the British Library.
Claim: Trivedi cited B.R. Ambedkar’s Who Were the Shudras? to say modern Scheduled Castes and ancient Shudras were different groups. Fact-check: Ambedkar wrote that ancient Shudras were originally Kshatriyas who were denied the Upanayana ceremony after conflicts with Brahmins, pushing them into the fourth varna. He distinguished them from today’s Scheduled Castes.
Other claims: Pramod Tiwari displayed a book and said it was published during the current government’s tenure and remains available. BJP leaders, including J.P. Nadda, demanded evidence of an original pre-British text.
5 key takeaways from Kharge’s speech
1. Govt bowed to pressure, brought Bill to save itself, not students
Kharge said the government was forced to act because of student protests and public pressure. He alleged that removing Dharmendra Pradhan and introducing the amendment Bill were aimed at saving the government, not helping students.
2. Harsher punishment alone will not stop paper leaks
Kharge said increasing the fine from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore, imposing stricter jail terms, and creating a Special Task Force and Fast Track Courts would not solve the problem. He argued that the real need was to make the examination system more transparent.
3. Targets govt over education system and NTA
Kharge claimed that question papers for 152 examinations had been leaked in recent years, yet no one had been punished. He also alleged that several posts in the National Testing Agency (NTA) remain vacant and accused the government of appointing people linked to the RSS instead of improving the education system.
4. Questions police action, demands Shah’s resignation
Kharge alleged that peaceful student protesters were met with lathi-charge, tear gas and pellet guns. He said that if Union Home Minister Amit Shah could not answer questions about the police action, he should resign.
5. Uproar over remarks on ‘Shudras’
Kharge alleged that the new syllabus included references prescribing harsh punishment for Shudras for listening to or reciting the Vedas. He said those holding such views should have no role in the education system. The remarks triggered strong protests from Treasury bench members in the House.
