Row in Lok Sabha Over Appointment of Education Minister Pralhad Joshi

A heated exchange erupted in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday after Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi accused newly appointed Education Minister Pralhad Joshi of defending rapists. The clash occurred during discussions on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.

Priyanka Gandhi stated in the House that Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed a minister who had expressed support for the release of convicts involved in the rape of a pregnant woman. Outside the House, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi described Joshi as "the filthiest type of man," alleging he protects rapists and questioning why the Prime Minister chose him over other Cabinet members.

The accusations refer to October 2022, when Joshi, then the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines, told The Indian Express that the premature release of 11 men in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case was done "as per the legal provision." During Tuesday's proceedings, Rahul Gandhi provided a document to Priyanka Gandhi to authenticate her claims.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the remarks as "character assassination" and urged Speaker Om Birla to expunge the statements from the record. Rijiju argued that Priyanka Gandhi should speak responsibly and apologize for failing to maintain the dignity of the House. Speaker Birla assured the Treasury Benches that the comments would be expunged.

The confrontation took place amid broader Opposition protests over NEET paper leaks and allegations regarding the use of pellet guns and AK-47s against student protesters, which Priyanka Gandhi claimed Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah must answer for.