New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him and the Congress of exploiting students for political purposes during protests over the NEET controversy and examination paper leaks.
The remarks came after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several Congress leaders staged a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, demanding action over alleged paper leaks and the police crackdown on students who participated in a protest march to Parliament earlier this week. The demonstration was later dispersed by police, and the Gandhi siblings were detained before being released later in the evening.
Responding to the protest, Pradhan alleged that the Congress had chosen political confrontation instead of constructive dialogue, despite the Centre expressing its willingness to hold a comprehensive discussion on the NEET issue in Parliament. He claimed the protest violated security protocols and caused inconvenience to the public.
The minister said the government’s priority remains addressing students’ concerns through democratic discussion rather than political demonstrations. He maintained that Parliament is the appropriate forum to debate issues related to NEET, examination reforms and paper leaks.
Pradhan also criticised Rahul Gandhi for, according to him, shifting the focus from seeking a parliamentary discussion to demanding resignations. He argued that the Opposition was more interested in creating political confrontation than finding solutions for students.
Reiterating the Centre’s commitment to education reforms, the minister said students deserve certainty, transparency and accountability instead of political disputes. He stressed that the government remains focused on delivering reforms, improving the examination system and addressing concerns raised by students and their families.
The exchange marks the latest escalation in the political battle over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, with the ruling BJP and the Opposition continuing to trade accusations over the handling of the issue.
