A stormy exchange erupted in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju clashed during the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. Gandhi's use of the word "idiot" and his allegations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah triggered repeated protests from the treasury benches, with several of his remarks later expunged from the House records.
During his speech, Rahul Gandhi recounted a conversation he claimed to have had with an 18-year-old student on the meaning of education and humility. "The most important quality a student has is humility," Gandhi said, adding that the student contrasted this with people who believed they "know everything". "She said I call them idiots," Rahul Gandhi remarked, prompting immediate objections from BJP MPs.
BJP MP Kiren Rijiju interrupted the speech, calling the expression "unparliamentary" and demanding that it be withdrawn. "Had Rahul Gandhi not used an unparliamentary word, nobody would have objected... It should be expunged," Rijiju said. Responding to the protests, the Leader of Opposition clarified that he was not referring to any individual in the House. "I am not calling anybody that. I will use some other word," he said.
The confrontation escalated after Rahul Gandhi alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah had authorised the use of force against student protesters. "The Home Minister authorised the shooting at our students. He ordered the shooting at our students," Gandhi alleged.
The accusation triggered loud protests from the treasury benches, with Kiren Rijiju accusing the Congress leader of making baseless allegations against the Home Minister. "On what basis have you made this charge? Please show the Home Minister's order. The Leader of the Opposition must either substantiate his claim or apologise," Rijiju said.
As slogan-shouting continued from both sides, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervened, reminding members that allegations against ministers cannot be made without following parliamentary procedure. "No one in Parliament can level charges against anyone without giving prior notice. Speak on the Bill and stick to facts," Om Birla said.
Defending his remarks, Rahul Gandhi maintained that responsibility for the use of force rested with the government's highest offices. "The use of force can only be authorised by the Home Minister or the Prime Minister," he said.
The heated exchanges repeatedly disrupted proceedings before the Speaker asked Rahul Gandhi to conclude his speech. Several of the Congress leader's remarks, including his use of the word "idiot", were subsequently expunged from the Lok Sabha record.
