Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of using students as political tools instead of working towards resolving concerns surrounding the NEET examination controversy. His remarks came a day after dramatic protests by the Congress and other Opposition parties outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence over the police action against demonstrators during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) “Chalo Sansad” march.
The confrontation has further intensified the political battle over the alleged NEET paper leak, with both the government and the Opposition blaming each other for disrupting parliamentary proceedings while claiming to represent students’ interests.
Dharmendra Pradhan Says Rahul Gandhi Wanted Headlines, Not Solutions
In a strongly worded post on social media platform X, Dharmendra Pradhan alleged that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress had deliberately chosen confrontation despite the Centre expressing its willingness to discuss the NEET issue in Parliament.
According to the Union minister, the government’s priority has always been to address students’ concerns through democratic debate, while the Opposition was focused on creating political drama.
Pradhan said Rahul Gandhi preferred “political spectacle over democratic discussion” and accused the Congress of attempting to manufacture disruption during the Monsoon Session rather than contributing to meaningful reforms.
He argued that students deserved certainty, accountability and long-term improvements in the examination system instead of becoming part of political campaigns.
The minister also reiterated that the Centre remained committed to strengthening examination processes and ensuring greater transparency in future competitive examinations.
Congress Protest Follows Police Action During CJP March
The latest political confrontation followed the police crackdown on the Cockroach Janta Party’s “Chalo Sansad” march, organised to demand accountability over alleged examination irregularities and the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
The march, held on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, witnessed clashes between protesters and security personnel after demonstrators attempted to move towards Parliament.
Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd as violence broke out, leading to damaged public property, broken police vehicles and injuries to more than 100 police and paramilitary personnel, including several senior officers.
More than 70 protesters were detained during the operation.
The incident immediately became a political flashpoint, with Opposition leaders accusing the government of suppressing democratic protest.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Lead Protest Outside PM Residence
On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several senior Opposition leaders marched towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence to protest against the police action on students and demonstrators.
The protest also saw participation from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Congress MPs and leaders from multiple states.
Delhi Police stopped the march before it reached the Prime Minister’s residence, detaining Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and several other leaders.
Television visuals showed Rahul Gandhi being carried away by police personnel after refusing to leave the protest site, while Priyanka Gandhi was seen resisting detention before being escorted into a police vehicle.
All detained leaders were released later in the day.
After her release, Priyanka Gandhi questioned why Opposition leaders were allegedly being prevented from raising student-related issues both inside and outside Parliament.
Government Raises Security Concerns
Government sources also criticised the decision to stage a protest near the Prime Minister’s residence, describing it as a serious security concern.
Officials argued that demonstrations targeting the residences of political leaders are uncommon in mature democracies and could establish a dangerous precedent for future political protests.
The government maintained that while peaceful demonstrations remain a democratic right, protests near high-security zones pose significant challenges for law enforcement agencies.
Sources also referred to political unrest in neighbouring countries, warning that such methods of protest could encourage unnecessary confrontation.
Political Battle Over NEET Continues
The exchange between Dharmendra Pradhan and Rahul Gandhi reflects the growing political significance of the NEET examination controversy.
While the Opposition continues to demand accountability over alleged paper leaks and examination irregularities, the government insists it is prepared to discuss reforms through Parliament rather than through street protests.
With Parliament now in session and political tensions escalating, the NEET controversy is expected to remain one of the most fiercely debated issues in the coming days. As both sides seek to claim the moral high ground, students and parents continue to await concrete measures that restore confidence in India’s competitive examination system.
