FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Friday, 31 July 2026 SPORTS WORLD Cap 278 signing off: Ajinkya Rahane EDITORIAL US, Iran trade missile barrages as hopes dim for a quick resolution PERSPECTIVE Beyond relief Page 9 Paradox of Chinese power Page 7 Page 6 Parliament passes anti-paper leak Bill, Oppn stages walkout STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 30 July P arliament on Thursday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha also clearing the legislation by voice vote amid a walkout by some Opposition parties, including the Congress. The Opposition’s walkout took place as Union Health Minister JP Nadda was getting up to reply to the nearly eight-hour-long debate in the House on the Bill, causing him to brand it “highly irresponsible behaviour”. “I condemn the Opposition's walkout and strongly censure it. The manner in which they have exposed themselves should be seen and understood by the entire country,” he said “I had said this morning itself that the Opposition has Page 12 LS passes Bill to criminalise insults to Vande Mataram amid Oppn protests: New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which criminalises insults to the national song Vande Mataram, despite persistent and vociferous protests by Opposition members that disrupted the House multiple times throughout the day. The Bill was approved by a voice vote amid continuous sloganeering and demands for discussions from Opposition MPs, who raised various political and policy-related issues. Following the passage of the Bill, the House adjourned until 11 a.m. on Friday. become issue-less, and today, through its conduct and actions, it has proved that. The Opposition no longer has any issue to raise. The discussion went on for nearly eight hours, and every member was given a full opportunity to speak. The Treasury Benches listened to every point with sensitivity. However, when the minister rose to reply, the Opposition behaved irresponsibly by walking out, that is why I say they have no interest in the discussion,” Mr Nadda said. Minister of State Jitendra Singh said the Opposition hasn’t been able to authenticate the number of paper leaks which they claimed to have happened since 2014 and listed the efforts by the BJP-led NDA to prevent such incidents and reform the education system in the country. “I would like to say that we brought this Bill with all humility. I have taken very careful note of each and every word that has been said. As I said at the very beginning, we do not stand on prestige, we have come here with the expectation that we would benefit from healthy, constructive suggestions. But, as the Leader of the House, JP Nadda ji, has already mentioned, it is unfortunate that many of the honourable members who were most vociferous in raising objections chose to walk out when it was time for their issues and points to be responded to,” he added. The Bill will now be sent to President Droupadi Murmu for assent. Earlier Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, mounted a blistering attack on the government during the debate, demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, whom he held accountable for the police crackdown on students protesting the NEET paper leak issue. Mr Kharge also described the proposed amendments in the new Bill as “hogwash”, and argued that the legislation merely prescribes harsher punishments after examination leaks occur while failing to address the systemic weaknesses that allow such irregularities to take place in the first place. Pellet guns only in exceptional cases: Top court New Delhi: Observing that pellet guns are permitted only in exceptional circumstances, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Delhi government to ensure that protesters injured during the 20 July police crackdown at Jantar Mantar, including those who allegedly suffered pellet gun injuries, receive the necessary medical treatment. A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohan observed that the use of pellet guns is allowed only in exceptional circumstances. “Police rules allow the use in exceptional circumstances unless you challenge the rules itself. One of the steps of graded approach is use of pellet guns,” Justice Bagchi said. “In light of alleged excessive use, your prayer should be that the court lays down a protocol regarding the use,” added CJI Kant. PM Modi chairs 4th CCS meeting on West Asia conflict STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 30 July Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired the fourth special meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security to review the evolving situation arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia. He directed the government to adopt a unified and coordinated approach to safeguard Indian citizens, the diaspora, energy security and essential supplies. The meeting reviewed the measures taken by various ministries and departments in response to the geopolitical crisis, with the Prime Minister calling for regular monitoring of developments to ensure the swift implementation of steps necessary to protect national interests. According to an official statement, the Cabinet Secretary briefed the CCS on the prevailing geopolitical situation and outlined the initiatives undertaken to maintain adequate supplies of petroleum products, including LNG, LPG and fertilisers. The committee also assessed fertiliser requirements for the forthcoming Rabi season and reviewed alternate sources of procurement in view of the conflict. The Prime Minister directed that all measures be taken for ensuring uninterrupted supply of fertilisers. The meeting also focused on the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers serving on domestic as well as foreignflagged vessels operating in conflict zones.