Dharmendra Pradhan targets opposition, says Rahul Gandhi misled NEET aspirants, created fear among youth
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday targeted the opposition for misleading youths over the NEET controversy, accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for creating anxiety among young students ahead of the crucial medical entrance examination.
Speaking during an interview with a leading news channel, Pradhan said political leaders should act responsibly when issues concerning students’ futures are involved. He alleged that Rahul Gandhi and the opposition had sought to generate fear among NEET candidates instead of reassuring them. “Rahul Gandhi misled the NEET aspirants. Don’t mislead and put fear in the minds of the new generation. We all have a responsibility towards them,” Pradhan said.
The remarks come amid continuing political confrontation over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, with opposition parties demanding accountability and calling for the minister’s resignation.
Without directly engaging in political rhetoric, Pradhan said the opposition’s decision to organise a rally in Kota, a major coaching hub for competitive examinations, shortly before the test was inappropriate. According to him, such events could affect students already under significant academic pressure. The minister also referred to an incident in Karnataka, claiming that three students were unable to reach their examination centres because of a public rally addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru.
“Three students could not reach their NEET examination because of Kharge’s rally. He later apologised to them. How can the Congress lecture us on this issue?” Pradhan asked.
Taking his criticism further, the Union minister also targeted the online protest movement known as the Cockroach Janata Party, which gained attention during the NEET paper leak controversy. He described the satirical outfit as “Rahul Gandhi’s B-team”, alleging that it was working to amplify opposition narratives around the examination issue.
Earlier this week, Pradhan had addressed the NEET paper leak controversy in an interview with another media outlet, where he acknowledged lapses in the examination process and blamed certain individuals entrusted with responsibility.
“NTA had placed its trust in certain teachers, but some of them did not fulfil their responsibility. Rakshak hi bhakshak ban gaye (the protectors themselves turned predators),” he had said.
The minister maintained that the government’s priority remained ensuring a fair and transparent examination process for students across the country. The NEET controversy has triggered a nationwide debate over exam security and accountability, with the government and the National Testing Agency facing intense scrutiny following allegations of paper leaks and irregularities.