NEET Row: Pradhan Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Spreading Anarchy Among Students

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has strongly accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of attempting to sow fear and create an atmosphere of anarchy among students, particularly those affected by the NEET paper leak controversy. The NDTV article, published on June 23, 2026, details Pradhan's charges, where he stated that Gandhi was trying to 'derail students' preparations' and 'create anarchy' by politicizing the sensitive issue. Pradhan's accusations came in the wake of widespread protests and demands for accountability following alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG). In an exclusive interview, Pradhan expressed his disappointment with Rahul Gandhi's 'behaviour in this whole episode,' asserting that the Congress was engaging in 'low-level politics' on the matter. He specifically criticized Gandhi for holding a program in Kota, a major coaching hub, just three days before the NEET re-exam, claiming it was intended to 'scare students' and disrupt their preparations. Furthermore, Pradhan condemned the Congress for allegedly using student suicides for political purposes, stating, 'As Education Minister, I curse myself every time there is a student suicide. We have to fix the broken system. But the way Congress and Rahul Gandhi used student suicides is low-level politics.' The Education Minister reiterated these sentiments, accusing Gandhi of misleading the youth and creating fear in their minds amidst the NEET-UG row. He also alleged that Gandhi and the Congress party wanted the re-examination to fail. These statements highlight the deep political chasm surrounding the examination scandal, with the government portraying the opposition's actions as politically motivated rather than genuinely constructive. Pradhan has also accused Rahul Gandhi of 'shamelessly exploiting students as political tools' to cause disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, instead of engaging in democratic debate. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party have launched a vigorous counter-offensive against the Central government. Gandhi has consistently demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged paper leaks and the government's handling of the crisis. He has vehemently criticized the police action against student protesters, questioning why peaceful demonstrators were met with force. Gandhi emphasized that students are merely asking for a fair education system, which the country owes them, and that they are already under immense stress due to repeated examination controversies. Rahul Gandhi has further alleged that India's education system has become a 'rigged system,' citing statistics that '152 paper leaks have taken place' over the past decade with 'zero convictions,' affecting millions of students and their families. He has also characterized the NEET examination as a 'commercial exam' designed to benefit 'rich students' rather than a professional one, arguing that it creates a 'quota for rich people' within the system. Expressing solidarity with students, Gandhi has stated that he and the Congress will always stand with them and demanded strict action against those responsible for attacking students. He has linked student deaths to a 'corrupt system,' declaring, 'This is not suicide — this is murder by the system.' The NEET paper leak controversy has led to widespread student protests across India, with demands for examination reforms and greater accountability from the National Testing Agency (NTA). The government has responded to the crisis by announcing measures such as establishing fast-track courts to punish those involved in paper leaks and replacing key officials, including the Higher Education Secretary. Prime Minister Modi himself has promised that the issue would be discussed in the Union Cabinet meeting, committing to stringent actions and strengthening the examination system. The ongoing political confrontation underscores the high stakes involved, with both the ruling BJP and the Opposition using the NEET controversy to rally support and criticize their opponents. The Education Minister and other BJP leaders maintain that the government is fully committed to addressing the concerns of students and ensuring the integrity of competitive examinations, while accusing the Congress of prioritizing 'political spectacle over democratic debate.' This news is highly relevant to an Indian audience as it concerns the future of millions of students aspiring for higher education, especially in the medical field, and highlights critical issues within the national examination system and the political discourse surrounding it. The strong accusations and counter-accusations reflect a deeply polarized political landscape in India.

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