New Delhi: The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (April 1) by voice vote as opposition parties staged a walkout over the Bill not being sent to a select committee. Leader of the House J.P. Nadda accused the opposition of not respecting parliamentary procedures. Meanwhile, outside parliament, opposition leaders accused the government of not responding to their concerns raised about the legislation.The contentious Bill, introduced in the Rajya Sabha last week, provides that in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), 50% posts in the Inspector General rank, at least 67% among Additional Director General, and 100% in the rank of Special Director General and Director General be filled by Indian Police Service (IPS) officers on deputation.The Bill faces criticism from the opposition as well as retired service members for being demoralising to the CAPF by providing for IPS deputation instead of promotions to higher posts based on field expertise.On Wednesday, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said in the House that the government has not addressed the concerns raised by the opposition on the bill leading to the opposition staging a walkout.“The Bill seeks to destroy those who protect us. This brings in institutionalisation of deputation which we oppose,” said Kharge.“It will affect career progression and morale, it lacks consultation and violates the spirit of judicial direction,” Kharge said. “You did not provide any answers to this… those who give their lives for the nation, protect us… this is why we wanted the Bill sent to the select committee for discussion. Because we did not receive any answers, we are walking out.”Nadda accused Kharge of misusing his post and giving a speech after the minister’s reply to the discussion on the Bill. “They are not interested in any discussion. They were given time to speak on the Bill. But when the minister’s reply came, they are walking out. They don’t respect parliamentary procedures,” he said.In his reply, MoS Home Nityanand Rai said that while opposition members had raised questions about promotions being stalled, the Bill would enhance morale of the forces and strengthen the country’s federal structure. “The Bill is not against the federal structure of the country. In reality, it will strengthen the federal structure,” he said.Outside the House, opposition MPs termed the Bill a “black law” that takes away rights of CAPF officials, despite last year’s Supreme Court order that IPS deputation should be progressively reduced.“It is very sad that our soldiers and CAPF officials, who protect the 15,000-kilometre borders of the country, are being subjected to a law that takes away their rights, despite the Supreme Court’s order. This is a fifty-year fight, not a one-day fight. Six committees, including [former Union Cabinet ministers] Murli Manohar Joshi’s committee, Chidambaram’s committee and other official committees have submitted reports stating that CAPF personnel should get promotions and their rights,” said Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh.“They also clear the UPSC exam… But the government lost in the Supreme Court, and despite this, they have passed this black law. The eleven lakh CAPF soldiers and officials of the country are watching the government’s authoritarian actions and [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi’s actions. When the time comes, they will respond.”During the discussion, Trinamool Congrses MP Saket Gokhale said, “You are telling young officers to take bullets on the border, but not trusting them to lead their own forces.”“The government is using parliament to override a final binding Supreme Court verdict. This is not legislation, this is judicial evasion wearing the clothes of law,” said Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) MP Fauzia Khan.