Rahul Gandhi Demands Education Minister's Resignation Over NEET-UG Paper Leak

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi early Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of sidestepping the demand for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Reacting to the Prime Minister's late-night video message on the issue, Rahul said PM Modi should not "insult the intelligence" of students and demanded Pradhan be sacked saying the PM's address failed to raise students' key concerns. In a post on X, Rahul wrote, "Mr Modi, our students are demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Don't insult their intelligence with this pathetic midnight video." Listing his demands, he said: "1. Sack Pradhan. 2. Punish those who beat students. 3. Apologise."

The leader of oppostion's remarks came hours after Prime Minister Modi announced that the government would bring a Bill in Parliament next week providing for stringent punishment against those involved in examination paper leaks. In a self-recorded video shared on X late Thursday night, the Prime Minister said the proposed legislation, which includes provisions for Fast-Track Courts and stricter penalties, would be discussed by the Union Cabinet on Friday before being introduced in Parliament when the second week of the Monsoon Session begins on Monday. "Friends, I know that paper leaks are not an ordinary matter. For lakhs of students and their parents, it is extremely painful," PM Modi said. "Our most important responsibility was to ensure that a whole year for the students is not wasted. It was very important to conduct the exams immediately. The government used its full strength to arrange exams for nearly 22 lakh students in the shortest possible time. And just five or six days ago, on the 19th, the results were also announced," he said.

The Prime Minister said the government was now moving towards stronger legal action. "Today I have issued directions to the departments to set up Fast-Track Courts. The departments worked tirelessly and, late last night, provided me with a draft. This draft, which includes provisions for Fast-Track Courts and stringent punishments, will be discussed in the Cabinet tomorrow," he said. He added that after incorporating suggestions from Cabinet colleagues, the Bill would be finalised and introduced in Parliament next week. "Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared," PM Modi said.

The opposition has been demanding Pradhan's resignation and a detailed discussion on the alleged NEET-UG paper leak during the Monsoon Session, with the issue triggering protests both inside Parliament and on the streets. Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Friday at Medanta Hospital in the presence of Union ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh, along with senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh. In a post on X, Wangchuk said he decided to end the fast after prolonged discussions and in view of the possibility of violence. "Just now in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda & Dr. Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh I finally broke my fast after 26 days... This was done after a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country," he said. "I will explain the conditions in detail in a separate video very soon. Meanwhile urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere," he added. Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has called for nationwide peaceful protests on Friday, reiterating its demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the alleged examination irregularities.