New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday defended the nationwide student protests over the NEET paper leak controversy, saying he was “reassured by what the future of this country did on our streets”, as he participated in the Lok Sabha debate on the Bill to strengthen the anti-paper leak law.

Rahul began his speech after the Lok Sabha resumed discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill at noon, following an adjournment earlier in the day amid Opposition protests demanding the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the House.

“I was reassured by what the future of this country did on our streets,” Rahul said, referring to the student-led protests that erupted across the country over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

Earlier, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon after Opposition MPs disrupted proceedings soon after the House assembled, demanding a statement from Shah on the police action against student protesters.

Opening the debate, JD(U) MP Dileshwar Kamait welcomed the amendment Bill, describing it as a “Sudarshan Chakra” against those responsible for examination paper leaks.

Independent MP Pappu Yadav, who is aligned with the Congress, alleged that the qualitative level of the NEET retest question paper had changed and claimed that many students had suffered severe mental distress, with some dying by suicide after performing poorly in the examination.

The Centre introduced the amendment Bill on Monday, days after nationwide protests over the NEET controversy culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act by introducing stricter penalties, including up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh for those involved in paper leaks.

The Opposition has repeatedly raised the NEET paper leak issue since the Monsoon Session began on July 20, leading to frequent disruptions in Parliament.