Rahul Gandhi Targets Government Over Paper Leaks, Seeks Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation

Rahul Gandhi's Explosive Press Conference on Exam Scandals

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce, high-voltage attack on the central government over India's escalating academic crisis. Wearing a black armband during a packed press conference in New Delhi, Gandhi laid bare staggering figures regarding national examination irregularities, pointing out that approximately 152 examination paper leaks have occurred over the past decade with a staggering zero conviction rate. He characterised the country's once-revered educational framework as a completely "rigged system" that has directly devastated nearly 7.5 crore students and their hard-working middle-class families.

Direct Demands and Scathing Criticism of Dharmendra Pradhan

Focusing his ire squarely on the political leadership, Gandhi didn't mince words, labelling Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as incompetent and corrupt while demanding his immediate removal from office.

• The Call for Accountability: Gandhi underscored that the ongoing youth and student demonstrations are entirely legitimate, demanding that Pradhan be shown the door for failing to protect the future of the nation's youth.

• Condemning Police Crackdowns: He fiercely criticised the heavy-handed security measures and police brutality against peaceful student protesters marching near Parliament, questioning why security forces were deployed against youth simply asking for a fair, transparent evaluation process.

• An Appeal for an Apology: Beyond the education minister's resignation, Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to exhibit moral responsibility and issue a direct apology to the nation's students for the immense mental anguish and shattered dreams caused by systemic administrative failures.

The Broader Political and Social Fallout

This intense political friction follows a series of turbulent street demonstrations in the national capital over recurring testing controversies, including issues surrounding NEET examinations. While the ruling dispensation has dismissed the opposition's protests as politically motivated manoeuvres designed to create disruption while Parliament is in session, the opposition continues to amplify the issue as an urgent national emergency. By framing the recurring leaks as a form of "pure theft" from vulnerable households, Gandhi has firmly positioned the battle over exam integrity at the very forefront of national political discourse.