The Congress on Saturday intensified its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi government over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and recurring paper leak controversies, with senior party leaders and accusing the Centre of betraying students and failing to protect the integrity of the country’s examination system.
In a post on social media platform X, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that “22 lakh NEET students have been betrayed” and criticised the Prime Minister for remaining silent on the issue.
“Twenty-two lakh NEET students have been betrayed. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not saying a single word,” Gandhi said. He also demanded the immediate removal of Union Education Minister, saying, “Remove Dharmendra Pradhan immediately, or take responsibility yourself. Modi ji, sack Dharmendra Pradhan ji now.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also launched a scathing attack on the government, claiming that the much-publicised “Amrit Kaal” had turned into a “Mrit Kaal” for students appearing in recruitment and entrance examinations.
“Under the Modi government, the so-called ‘Amrit Kaal’ is turning into a ‘Mrit Kaal’ for students appearing in recruitment and entrance examinations,” Kharge said in a statement.
Referring to reports of alleged student suicides linked to the NEET paper leak controversy, Kharge named several students, including Ritik Mishra from Lakhimpur Kheri, 20-year-old Anshika Pandey from Delhi, Pradeep Meghwal from Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district, and a Bengaluru student residing in Goa.
“Some had nurtured these dreams since childhood, while others had staked everything on their families’ hopes and aspirations, preparing for years. But the Modi government’s corrupt and incompetent system crushed their dreams,” he said.
Kharge alleged that more than 90 examination paper leaks had occurred during the Modi government’s tenure, affecting over nine crore students and their families. He also accused the BJP of shielding a “paper leak mafia” and said the repeated controversies had exposed the government’s claims of conducting fair and transparent examinations.
The Congress president further criticised the Prime Minister for allegedly remaining silent on the issue while speaking publicly on governance matters. “Yesterday, he tweeted about ‘Ease of Living,’ but remained silent on the NEET paper leak and the suicides of students,” Kharge said.
He also alleged that officials questioned in connection with the 2024 NEET paper leak case had not faced action and were instead given “lucrative posts.” Calling the situation grave, Kharge said even the Delhi Medical Association had written to the Union Education Minister over the matter.
“The Union Education Minister should resign immediately,” he said, adding, “Modi ji, hold a discussion on exam paper leaks — remaining silent will solve nothing.”
The NEET controversy had triggered a major political storm earlier this month after allegations of question paper leaks and irregularities in the conduct of the medical entrance examination led to protests by students and opposition parties across several states. The government and the National Testing Agency have maintained that steps are being taken to strengthen examination procedures and ensure transparency.