Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday intensified the Opposition’s attack on the Centre, questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s midnight Instagram address to students amid the paper leak controversy. During the Rajya Sabha debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, Kharge said the government introduced stronger provisions only after facing sustained public pressure and student protests. Mallikarjun Kharge’s attack on PM Modi’s Instagram message row has added another political dimension to the debate over examination reforms and accountability.
Mallikarjun Kharge attacks Modi Instagram message over delayed response
Mallikarjun Kharge’s attacks on PM Modi’s Instagram message controversy unfolded after the Congress chief questioned why the Prime Minister chose to address students only after weeks of nationwide protests.
Mallikarjun Kharge said the Opposition had been demanding stricter anti-paper leak measures since 2024, but the government ignored repeated suggestions. According to him, the amendments now being introduced were aimed at calming public anger rather than addressing systemic failures.
Taking a swipe at the Prime Minister’s late-night social media post, Mallikarjun Kharge remarked that Modi “couldn’t sleep” and eventually turned to Instagram after remaining silent for weeks. He argued that students deserved empathy and immediate action rather than delayed messaging.
Also Read | Delhi protester’s surgery reveals metallic foreign bodies: Report
Congress claims protests forced government to act
Mallikarjun Kharge’s attacks on PM Modi’s Instagram message debate also focused on the resignation of former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Mallikarjun Kharge claimed the Centre removed Pradhan only after the student movement gained nationwide support. He alleged that the government bowed to public pressure and attempted to contain political damage by introducing amendments to the anti-paper leak legislation.
The Congress leader also credited Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition for keeping the issue alive through protests and parliamentary interventions. He maintained that merely changing ministers without fixing institutions would not prevent future examination scandals.
The amended legislation, already passed in the Lok Sabha, proposes fast-track courts, prison terms of up to 10 years and penalties of ₹10 crore for those involved in organised examination fraud.
Also Read | Carrying extra bags on a train? Indian Railways’ July 31 update changes the booking process
Home Minister also comes under Opposition fire
Beyond Mallikarjun Kharge’s attacks on PM Modi’s Instagram message issue, the Congress president also questioned the handling of student protests by law enforcement agencies.
He demanded accountability for the reported use of lathi charges, tear gas and pellet guns during demonstrations, asking who authorised such action against students. Kharge also criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for remaining silent and suggested he should resign if he could not answer questions about the police response.
Meanwhile, the Centre defended the amended legislation, saying it reinforces its commitment to protecting students and ensuring transparency in public examinations. Minister of State Jitendra Singh said the new law strengthens safeguards for recruitment agencies and examination authorities.
Mallikarjun Kharge’s attack on PM Modi’s Instagram message controversy is expected to remain a key flashpoint as Parliament continues debating examination reforms and the political fallout from the paper leak protests.
