Congress Links NEET Suicides to Minister Pradhan's Birthday Amid Controversy

The political landscape in India was significantly stirred on June 26, 2026, when the Congress party launched a scathing attack on Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, linking student suicides to the ongoing NEET-UG examination controversy on the occasion of his 57th birthday. Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera led the charge with a post on X, sarcastically addressing the minister as 'Dear Dharmendra Uncle' and listing the names of 14 medical aspirants who allegedly died by suicide due to the distress caused by the NEET-UG paper leak and subsequent cancellation of the examination initially held on May 3, 2026. Khera's post, which quickly gained traction, directly responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday wishes for Pradhan. PM Modi had praised Pradhan's 'commendable efforts' in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP), stating that it aimed to make India a hub for knowledge, learning, and innovation. This public endorsement of the Education Minister, amidst growing calls for his resignation over the NEET-UG fiasco, was perceived by the opposition as insensitive and a sign of the government's refusal to acknowledge accountability. The NEET-UG 2026 examination, a crucial entrance test for millions of aspiring doctors in India, became a national crisis following allegations of widespread paper leaks. The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting the exam, initially cancelled the May 3 examination and scheduled a re-examination for June 21, 2026. This decision, along with irregularities in results and concerns over grace marks, sparked nationwide protests from students and opposition parties alike, demanding a thorough investigation and justice for affected aspirants. The human cost of this controversy has been particularly devastating. Various reports indicated a rise in student suicides linked to the exam-related stress and uncertainty. While Congress cited 14 suicides, other credible sources, such as India Today and The Times of India, reported 'at least 11' or 'more than 10' suicides of NEET aspirants in the 46 days between the cancellation of the exam and the scheduled re-test. These incidents occurred across states like Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, with suicide notes and family accounts often highlighting the immense pressure and despair caused by the examination's disruption. Reacting to the escalating crisis and the Prime Minister's birthday greetings, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sharply questioned PM Modi, asking if he had 'spared a thought for these children' whose deaths were allegedly linked to the NEET-UG paper leak. Gandhi emphasized that each student represented 'a dream, a family, a future — all destroyed by a broken system and a government that refuses to learn or take accountability'. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also joined the criticism, alleging 90 paper leaks during the BJP-led government's tenure and stating that the futures of millions of students had been adversely affected. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while facing intense pressure, has acknowledged the gravity of the situation. He accepted responsibility for the student suicides, stating that he 'cursed himself every time there is a student suicide' and that there was a need to 'fix the broken system'. However, Pradhan also accused the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi of 'politicising' the tragedy, a charge that the opposition vehemently denied, asserting their right to demand accountability from the government. He pointed fingers at 'protectors turned predators,' referring to teachers appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) who allegedly failed in their duties, with the CBI making arrests in connection with the paper leak. The controversy underscores significant systemic issues within India's highly competitive examination system and raises serious concerns about student mental health. The demand for Pradhan's resignation continues from various student groups and opposition parties, highlighting a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the handling of the NEET-UG examination. The incident remains a major political flashpoint, with the government under immense pressure to restore faith in national examinations and address the underlying causes of student distress.

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