Rahul Gandhi Addresses Press Conference Amid NEET Paper Leak Protests

In a press conference at Indira Bhawan, Rahul Gandhi addressed the pressing issue of the NEET paper leak, which has sparked widespread protests demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He raised concerns about the impact on students, highlighting the financial burden on families and the alarming rate of paper leaks in the education system. Gandhi called for accountability from the government, emphasizing the need for a fair education system. The opposition, united in their stance, wore black to Parliament in solidarity with the protesting students, demanding immediate action and justice.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 22, 2026, 17:09 IST

Press Conference Highlights

In a recent press conference held at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, addressed the ongoing protests demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protests stem from allegations that he is responsible for the recent NEET paper leak. Gandhi questioned why students are facing such issues, asking, 'What have our students done to deserve this? Armed forces are standing against them. What wrong have they committed?'

Concerns for Students

Gandhi expressed his concerns regarding the students, stating that they are peacefully protesting and voicing their demands for a fair education system. He highlighted the distressing fact that some students have resorted to suicide due to the immense pressure they face, only to discover that the exam papers have been leaked. During the briefing, he pointed out that families of NEET candidates spend approximately ₹1.32 lakh crore annually, a figure that starkly contrasts with the education budget of ₹1.4 lakh crore.

Call for Accountability

The Congress leader emphasized that the party fully supports the students' demands for accountability from the government. He remarked that the education system, once regarded as one of the best globally, has devolved into a corrupt system. He noted that there have been 152 instances of paper leaks in the past decade, averaging nearly one case per month, forcing millions of students to endure repeated stress. This situation affects around 7.5 crore students and their families, primarily from middle-class and impoverished backgrounds.

Lack of Consequences

Gandhi criticized the treatment of hardworking families who invest their earnings into education, only to face severe injustices. He pointed out the shocking reality that no one has been punished for the 152 paper leaks over the last ten years. He questioned the government's inaction, stating that a group or individual is systematically ruining the education system, which is one of India's most valuable assets, and adversely affecting students' lives.

Opposition's Solidarity

Following a day of protests outside Prime Minister Modi's residence, Rahul Gandhi and other opposition MPs donned black attire in Parliament to protest the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. They demanded accountability and action from the government. Congress MP Pawan Khera affirmed that their party stands united with the youth of the nation.