Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday intensified his attack on the Centre over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak controversy, announcing three key demands in support of the ongoing student-led protest. Addressing the media, the Congress leader accused the government of failing India’s youth and said the crisis had exposed deep flaws in the country’s examination system.
At the top of his list was the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Gandhi alleged that the minister had failed to protect the integrity of the examination process and should immediately step down.
“Dharmendra Pradhan should be shown the door; he is incapable of holding the post,” Gandhi said while addressing reporters.
The Congress leader’s second demand focused on the police action against protesters during the march towards Parliament. He called for strict action against officials responsible for the alleged assault on students, arguing that peaceful demonstrators were subjected to unnecessary force.
“Everyone who assaulted students must be held accountable,” Gandhi said, adding that those responsible should face consequences.
His third demand was directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi said the Prime Minister should publicly apologise to students over the handling of the protests and the alleged examination irregularities.
“PM Modi should have the decency to apologise to students for what has been done,” he said.
Sharpening his criticism of the government’s record, Gandhi claimed that 152 examination paper leaks had taken place over the past decade without a single conviction. According to him, the repeated incidents had severely damaged confidence in India’s education system and left millions of students uncertain about their future.
“In the last 10 years, 152 paper leaks have taken place, and there have been zero convictions. Zero. Somebody, or a group of people, has destroyed our education system, India’s most valuable asset, destroying the lives of our students,” he said.
Gandhi also condemned the police response to the student demonstrations, saying those protesting were exercising their democratic rights rather than committing any offence.
“Thousands and thousands of students… they’re protesting peacefully. They’re asking for what this country owes them. They’re not committing a crime,” he said.
Describing the alleged paper leak issue as a national crisis, Gandhi argued that repeated examination controversies had undermined the credibility of the education system and increased stress among students preparing for competitive exams.
“Our education system, which was known to be one of the best education systems in the world, is today a rigged system,” he said, adding that repeated paper leaks were forcing students to repeatedly endure uncertainty and emotional distress.
The Congress leader’s remarks come amid continuing protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, with Opposition parties demanding accountability, reforms in the examination system and action against those responsible for the alleged irregularities.
Q1. What are Rahul Gandhi’s three demands over the NEET issue?
He demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accountability for officials involved in the alleged police action against students, and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Q2. Why is Rahul Gandhi demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation?
He alleges that the Education Minister failed to prevent repeated examination paper leaks and protect the integrity of the education system.
Q3. What did Rahul Gandhi say about paper leaks?
He claimed that 152 paper leaks had occurred in the last decade without any convictions, calling it evidence of systemic failure.
Q4. What is Rahul Gandhi’s demand regarding the police action?
He wants officials responsible for the alleged assault on student protesters to be held accountable.
