Rahul Gandhi Advocates for Student Protests Amid NEET Paper Leak Controversy

Opposition Leader Calls for Action

On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, defended the Congress party's protest on Lok Kalyan Marg and urged fellow opposition leaders to join students in demonstrating on the streets. He criticized Parliament for not discussing the NEET-UG paper leak despite the opposition's demands. During a press conference in New Delhi, Gandhi expressed that if students across the nation are taking to the streets, the opposition should follow suit. However, he emphasized that Parliament remains their primary battleground. Before heading to the Prime Minister's residence, the opposition met with the Speaker in his chamber, requesting permission to discuss this critical issue. The Speaker indicated he would consult with the government, implying that the decision lay with them, not him. Yet, even after this consultation, no discussion took place, and the matter was overlooked.

Congress Protests and Demands Resignations

On Tuesday, the Congress staged a protest on Lok Kalyan Marg, during which police detained Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, and other prominent figures. The party is demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Gandhi reiterated his call for Pradhan's resignation, labeling him a symbol of the failures within the education system and the police's actions against protesters on Monday.

He stated that Pradhan represents a symbol of the students' discontent regarding their treatment. To honor the students, this symbol must be removed. Gandhi described Pradhan as entirely unqualified and suggested possible complicity in the paper leak incident. He emphasized the need to respect students' feelings, asserting that this individual must be removed. The Congress party had visited the Prime Minister's residence in support of this demand, echoing the sentiments of students nationwide.

Government's Distraction Tactics

Gandhi further accused the government of attempting to divert public attention from the paper leak controversy. He stated that once accountability is established, Congress will advocate for reforms in the examination system. He clarified that the nature of discussions is not solely the government's decision, as it requires input from both sides. The opposition will determine the course of action, at least from their perspective. He asserted that the government aims to suppress the issue as if it never occurred. Gandhi insisted on addressing the core problem, demanding an apology from the Prime Minister and accountability for those who attacked students, marking it as the first step. Following that, he expressed the desire to see changes in the testing system and the fees charged to students.

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