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On Thursday, a fierce debate erupted in the Rajya Sabha between the opposition and the ruling party. The discussion was ignited when opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge referenced the Manusmriti during talks on the 'Anti-Paper Leak Bill', prompting strong objections from the ruling party.

While participating in the debate on the 'Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026', Kharge criticized the education policies of the BJP-led central government. He alleged that education is becoming increasingly inaccessible to the poor and that individuals affiliated with the RSS are being appointed to key positions in universities.

Kharge further claimed that changes are being made to school and university syllabi, asserting that the Manusmriti promotes caste discrimination in education. He accused the Manusmriti of fostering casteism within the educational sector, which led to immediate protests from NDA MPs, resulting in shouting and repeated disruptions in the house.

In response, the leader of the house, JP Nadda, dismissed Kharge's allegations, stating that they are far from the truth and could send a misleading message to the nation. Nadda objected to the references made during the debate, urging Kharge to substantiate his claims. He emphasized that while the government listens to the opposition leader calmly, it is crucial for Kharge to refrain from using inflammatory language.

As the debate intensified, Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan intervened, ruling that Kharge's comments regarding the Manusmriti and the cited material would not be part of the official record. During the discussion, Kharge argued that merely increasing penalties or establishing fast-track courts would not resolve the issue of paper leaks. He insisted that the focus should be on improving the system to prevent question paper leaks.

Kharge also accused the central government of commercializing education, stating that there are ongoing barriers preventing equal opportunities for underprivileged students.

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