NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — A political showdown over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak intensified on Wednesday as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the central government of failing students, while Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan defended the government’s stand and accused the opposition of turning students into political tools.
The fresh exchange came a day after clashes during the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) “Chalo Sansad” protest in New Delhi. The confrontation added to the growing political debate over examination reforms and accountability. At the same time, it also increased pressure on the government as Parliament’s Monsoon Session continued.
Rahul Gandhi, who serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, renewed his criticism of the government during a press conference in New Delhi. He claimed India’s education system had become a “rigged system” because repeated examination controversies had weakened public trust. He also alleged that the country had witnessed 152 paper leaks over the past decade, with not a single conviction.
Furthermore, Gandhi questioned the government’s handling of the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. He said students deserved fairness and transparency instead of uncertainty. He also criticized the police response to the protests, saying authorities should protect students instead of using force against them.
In addition, Gandhi reiterated his demand that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign. According to him, the education ministry must accept responsibility for recurring examination controversies. He argued that students and their families continue to suffer because of repeated irregularities in competitive exams.
Meanwhile, Pradhan issued his first public response to the controversy after the CJP protest. He strongly rejected the opposition’s allegations and defended the government’s position. He accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party of using students for political purposes instead of participating in a meaningful discussion inside Parliament.
Pradhan also said the Centre remains fully prepared to debate the alleged NEET paper leak and broader examination reforms during the Monsoon Session. He urged the opposition to raise its concerns through parliamentary discussion rather than street protests. According to the minister, Parliament provides the proper platform to address national issues related to education and examination systems.
Moreover, the political dispute gained momentum after violence broke out during Tuesday’s “Chalo Sansad” protest in the national capital. Demonstrators attempted to march toward Parliament while demanding action over the alleged examination leak. However, police stopped the march, leading to confrontations between protesters and security personnel.
Authorities used tear gas and lathi charges to disperse sections of the crowd after tensions escalated. As a result, both protesters and police personnel suffered injuries during the clashes. Videos and images from the protest quickly spread across social media, drawing fresh attention to the controversy.
The alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak has become a major political issue in recent weeks. Opposition leaders have repeatedly questioned the credibility of the examination process and demanded stronger safeguards. They argue that repeated controversies have damaged confidence among millions of students preparing for highly competitive entrance examinations.
On the other hand, the central government has maintained that it is ready to discuss concerns related to NEET and examination reforms through democratic institutions. Government leaders have also stressed that Parliament remains the appropriate forum for debate and policy decisions.
