Congress leaders intensified their offensive during the Monsoon Session, arguing that accountability must extend beyond legal action against those accused in the alleged exam paper leak.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (Photo: IANS)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday sharpened his attack on the Centre over the alleged NEET paper leak, saying the government’s announcement of fast-track courts would not address what he described as the failure of the country’s education system.
His remarks came shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that fast-track courts would be set up to ensure swift punishment for those involved in paper leaks.
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Responding to the Prime Minister’s post on X, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha accused the government of protecting those responsible for the alleged lapses.
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“You are the one who has harmed the future of our youth the most. You allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of our education system – and protected every person responsible for it,” Gandhi said.
You are the one who has harmed the future of our youth the most.
You allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of our education system – and protected every person responsible for it.
The students’ demands are clear:
1. Sack Dharmendra Pradhan.
2. Apologise to… https://t.co/0MK4wPMNiK— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 23, 2026
Reiterating the Congress’ position, he renewed the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s removal and an apology to students affected by the controversy.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also criticised the Prime Minister, alleging that he had avoided addressing Parliament on the issue.
“The PM does not have the courage to stand up in Parliament, speak and engage in serious debate like all his predecessors did when the occasion demanded,” Ramesh wrote on X.
He claimed the Prime Minister’s social media post showed he was “shaken and rattled” by the protests over the alleged paper leak.
The PM does not have the courage to stand up in Parliament, speak and engage in serious debate like all his predecessors did when the occssion demanded.
This morning he has put out a social media post to show that he is concerned with the issues being raised by students across…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 23, 2026
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also questioned the government’s approach, arguing that legal action alone was insufficient. He asked why the minister in charge of the department where the alleged leaks occurred had not been held accountable.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi announced that the government would establish fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks.
“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth,” the Prime Minister said on X.
He added that the government had directed the concerned authorities to take all necessary steps and said the move was part of a series of measures aimed at safeguarding students’ interests.
“Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” he said.
The political exchanges came as protests over the alleged NEET paper leak continued in the national capital.
Demonstrators gathered around Tolstoy Marg and Janpath yesterday, raising slogans against the BJP, the RSS and the Delhi Police. According to ANI, some protesters attempted to block traffic, threw water bottles onto the road and lay on the carriageway, leading to traffic disruptions.
A protester from Bihar told ANI he had been participating in demonstrations for nearly a month and would continue attending protests at Jantar Mantar until their demands were met, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The issue is expected to remain a key flashpoint during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
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