A heated exchange erupted in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi used an unparliamentary word while participating in the discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention
of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, prompting strong objections from the Treasury benches and leading Speaker Om Birla to order that the expression be expunged from the House proceedings.
The controversy began as Rahul Gandhi was narrating a conversation with a young student during his speech on the proposed legislation.
Gandhi described the student’s views on learning, humility and the pursuit of knowledge, saying that a true student keeps an open mind and respects differing perspectives.
As he continued recounting the conversation, members of the Treasury benches objected to the use of an unparliamentary word, triggering loud protests inside the House.
Kiren Rijiju Objects, Seeks Expunction
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju immediately intervened, arguing that although Rahul Gandhi claimed to be quoting a student, it was ultimately the Leader of Opposition who had uttered the unparliamentary word in the House.
Rijiju said that had Rahul Gandhi not used the unparliamentary word, there would have been no objection from members.
He urged the Chair to remove the expression from the official proceedings, stating that such language was not in keeping with parliamentary norms.
The objection quickly escalated into a war of words between the Opposition and the Treasury benches, with members interrupting the speech and demanding action from the Chair.
Rajnath Singh Appeals For Decorum
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also stepped in during the commotion and appealed to the Speaker to expunge the unparliamentary word from the official record.
Rajnath Singh requested that the objectionable expression be removed while urging members on the Treasury benches to maintain silence and allow Rahul Gandhi to continue speaking.
Speaker Om Birla subsequently directed that the unparliamentary word be expunged from the Lok Sabha proceedings.
House Witnesses Repeated Disruptions
The controversy over the unparliamentary word led to repeated interruptions, with both the Treasury and Opposition benches engaging in noisy exchanges.
Rahul Gandhi maintained that he had not referred to any member of the government by name, even as the ruling side continued to object to the language used during his speech.
Kiren Rijiju cited parliamentary rules while urging the Speaker to ensure that the proceedings adhered to established norms.
The Speaker also reminded the Leader of Opposition to conform to the rules and regulations of the House and refrain from making remarks that violated parliamentary decorum.
Before the controversy erupted, Rahul Gandhi had spoken about the recent protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, describing them as an expression of the aspirations of India’s youth rather than acts of anger or violence.
He urged all political parties, including the BJP, to respect the concerns of students.
However, the debate was overshadowed by the row over the unparliamentary word, with slogan-shouting and protests continuing from both sides of the House.
