On the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Opposition confronted the government over the NEET UG paper leak issue. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, questioned the government’s approach to resolving the issue of the examination system in the country.
“As this (NEET) is a systematic issue, what exactly are you doing to fix this issue?” asked Rahul Gandhi.
During the question hour in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi highlighted that the issue extends beyond NEET, pointing out systemic problems within the entire examination system.
Gandhi claimed that millions of aspirants believe that the country’s examination system is rigged, a sentiment shared by the opposition as well.
#WATCH | Congress MP and LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi says “It is obvious to the whole country that there is a very serious problem in our examination system, not just in NEET but in all the major examinations. The minister (Dharmendra Pradhan) has blamed everybody except… pic.twitter.com/ccclExwRTI— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2024
“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,” said Rahul Gandhi.
Gandhi aimed at Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and said “Minister blamed everyone except himself.” “I don’t even think he understands the fundamentals of what is going on here,” added the Congress leader.
The Education Minister responded to Gandhi’s question and allegations about the country’s examination system, saying “A lie will not become truth just by shouting. The fact that the Leader of Opposition says that the country’s examination system is rubbish, is highly condemnable.”
#WATCH | Opposition MPs raise NEET exam issue in Lok SabhaUnion Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says, “…No evidence of paper leak has been found in the last 7 years. This (NEET) matter is going on before the Supreme Court. I can say with full responsibility that more… pic.twitter.com/uoWySlfQYP
— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2024
Pradhan asserted that there was no evidence of a paper leak in the last seven years and said that NTA has successfully conducted over 240 exams.
“The LoP and his cabal are all but shedding crocodile tears. The ground reality on paper leaks during UPA regime and when Shri Akhilesh was at the helm of UP, will open a can of worms for both Shri @RahulGandhi and Shri @yadavakhilesh,” Pradhan shared in a social media post on ‘X’.
Targeting the previous Congress government, Pradhan said, “May be Rahul Gandhi understands the fundamentals and maths of unfair practices too well. That explains why Congress govt. failed to implement the bills to stop malpractices in educational institutions, including Prohibition of Unfair Practices Bill, 2010.”
The LoP and his cabal are all but shedding crocodile tears. The ground reality on paper leaks during UPA regime and when Shri Akhilesh was at the helm of UP, will open a can of worms for both Shri @RahulGandhi and Shri @yadavakhilesh.May be Rahul Gandhi understands the…
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 22, 2024
“Can the LoP tell under what compulsions, pressure and for what considerations did the Congress Party refuse to bring laws to curb irregularities?,” he asked.
As the opposition sought to corner the government over the issue of paper leaks, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also weighed in saying it was not right to raise questions about all exams and that members should hold discussions to develop a better examination system.
Speaking to the media outside the Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said that the Education Minister should have addressed the NEET paper leak issue but he only spoke about the Supreme Court and PM Modi.
“Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should have responded. He spoke about the Supreme Court and PM Modi but he is not able to say what is he doing on this,” Rahul Gandhi said.
#WATCH | On the NEET issue, Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says “Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should have responded. He spoke about the Supreme Court and PM Modi but he is not able to say what is he doing on this. NEET is a very important issue for the youth.… pic.twitter.com/uqDmOlHe0B— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2024
Gandhi further stated that Pradhan was unable to articulate what actions were being taken regarding the issue and said that the government was not interested in discussing the issues in Parliament.
“NEET is a very important issue for the youth. We have always asked for discussion in the Parliament but the Govt is not interested. We will keep raising this issue and keep pressurizing the Govt,” he added.