FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 14 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | 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 after stormy RS debate 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 nearly eight-hour long debate saw stormy exchanges between Treasury and Congress members, with the latter demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and accusing the government of failing to address the weaknesses that have led to a crisis in the public examination system. Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, mounted a blistering attack on the government as Page 14 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. he initiated the discussion, demanding the resignation of Mr Shah, whom he held accountable for the police crackdown on students protesting the NEET paper leak issue. “Who ordered the lathi-charge? Who ordered the use of tear gas? Who gave the order to use pellet guns? Who were the people in plain clothes who assaulted the students? Under whose authority does the Delhi Police function? On whose orders does the Rapid Action Force of the CRPF operate? Who was the chief architect behind this entire sequence of events? The nation wants answers to these questions. If the Union Home Minister cannot answer them, then he should resign,” Mr Kharge said, referring to police action against student protesters on 20 July in Delhi. Mr Kharge also described the new Bill as “hogwash”, arguing that it 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. His remarks triggered sharp protests from the Treasury Benches, who defended the actions of the security forces and maintained that law enforcement agencies had acted in accordance with law. Several Opposition members walked out of the House as Union Health Minister J P Nadda was getting up to reply to the discussion. “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,” Mr Nadda said. “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,” he said. The Bill, which the Lok Sabha had passed on Wednesday, will now be sent to President Droupadi Murmu for her assent. Pellet guns only in exceptional cases: Apex 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.