Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Rijiju praises police response to paper-leak protests, targets Congress
Some students in India were upset because they thought exams were not fair and that test papers were leaked.
They held big protests in Delhi and Bihar.
The police used tear gas and sticks to stop some of them.
A government minister named Kiren Rijiju said the police did a good job.
He said nobody was seriously hurt during the protests.
He also said some people from political parties joined the protests and tried to cause trouble.
He blamed the Congress party for using force in the past.
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, said new fast-track courts will be set up to punish people who leak exam papers.
The government says it wants to protect students' futures.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju rejected allegations of police overreach during student protests over exam irregularities and paper leaks.
Rijiju claimed no protester was seriously harmed and that police exercised restraint despite thousands joining the demonstrations.
He named the Aam Aadmi Party, Bhim Army, and Samajwadi Party, alleging political agitators joined the protests and incited violence.
Rijiju contrasted the response with Congress-era protests, alleging thousands died from gunfire under previous Congress governments.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on July 23 that fast-track courts would be set up to ensure swift punishment for those involved in paper leaks.
- Who
- Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and student protesters in India.
- What
- Rijiju defended police handling of protests over exam irregularities and the NEET paper leak, while Modi announced fast-track courts for paper-leak cases.
- When
- Rijiju spoke on Tuesday; Modi announced fast-track courts on July 23; clashes in Siwan were reported on July 25.
- Where
- India — protests in Delhi and Bihar, with clashes in Siwan.
- Why
- Students protested over alleged examination irregularities and the NEET paper leak controversy.
Government View
Protesters' View
Police conduct during protests
Government View
Police showed restraint and deserve praise; no one was seriously harmed despite thousands of protesters.
Protesters' View
Police overreach is alleged, with tear gas and lathi charges used against protesters.
Cause of violence
Government View
Political activists from the Aam Aadmi Party, Bhim Army, and Samajwadi Party infiltrated protests and incited violence.
Protesters' View
Students were peacefully demanding action on exam irregularities and paper leaks.
- Minister
- Kiren Rijiju, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister
- Prime Minister
- Narendra Modi
- Government action
- Fast-track courts announced for paper-leak cases (July 23)
- Protest locations
- Delhi and Bihar (Siwan)
- Police response
- Tear gas and lathi charge; no deaths or serious injuries reported
- Parties accused of inciting violence
- Aam Aadmi Party, Bhim Army, Samajwadi Party
- Context
- NEET paper leak controversy and exam irregularities
- Incident
- AK-47 firing reported during Siwan unrest on July 25