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On the first day of the monsoon session, the Lok Sabha saw intense criticism of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government over the NEET-UG controversy. Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of blaming everyone except himself for the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the NEET-UG exam.
Gandhi criticized Pradhan’s understanding of the issue, stating, “I don’t even think he (Pradhan) understands the fundamentals of what is going on here…” Gandhi emphasized that the issue was systemic and questioned what steps the government was taking to address it at a systemic level.
Gandhi expressed concern about the examination system, saying, “The issue is that there are millions of students in the country who are extremely concerned about what is going on and who are convinced that the Indian examination system is a fraud. Millions of people believe that if you are rich and you have money, you can buy the Indian examination system and this is the same feeling that the Opposition has…”
Pradhan responded sharply to Gandhi’s remarks, stating that he held the position “at the mercy of my leader” and that the government was “collectively answerable.” He condemned Gandhi’s comments, saying, “A lie will not become the truth just by shouting. The fact that the leader of the Opposition says that the country’s examination system is rubbish is highly condemnable…”
The education minister asserted that no evidence of paper leaks had been found in the past seven years and pointed out that the NEET matter was under review by the Supreme Court. “I can say with full responsibility that more than 240 exams have been conducted successfully by the NTA (National Testing Agency)… Better to wait and watch the Supreme Court’s judgment. The government has nothing to hide, and has put out all facts,” Pradhan stated.
Pradhan also noted that he did not wish to politicize the NEET issue, reminding that the proposal to introduce the exam was approved in 2010 under the United Progressive Alliance government.
Other opposition members echoed calls for an overhaul of the NTA, which conducts the NEET-UG. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the government, stating, “Students across the country are protesting. Investigation is leading to revelations, arrests are being made. I have only one request: Students will not get justice if this minister continues,” he added, mentioning that there were some centers where more than 2,000 students passed.
