BRS Leader KTR Demands Union Education Minister's Resignation Over NEET Paper Leak

Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Friday demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged leak of the NEET question paper, accusing the Central government of suppressing student protests. Speaking at a protest organised by the BRS student wing, BRS Vidyarthi, at Indira Park, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao also called for the withdrawal of police cases against student protesters in New Delhi and an unconditional apology for the alleged use of force.

The NEET paper leak controversy has sparked widespread protests across the country, with students demanding a thorough investigation and action against those responsible. The BRS, which is in opposition in Telangana, has aligned with the protesters, accusing both the Central and state governments of failing to address the issue.

Rama Rao criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the government was attempting to suppress the voice of young people. He condemned attempts to label protesters as anti-national or anti-social elements, asserting that democratic dissent cannot be silenced through force. He also questioned the Centre's sincerity, noting that it had not held dialogue with the protesters despite repeated demands.

Turning to the state government, Rama Rao accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of diverting attention from the Centre's failures by targeting the BRS instead of leading a united opposition against the BJP. He alleged that the Chief Minister was displaying double standards by avoiding confrontation with the BJP while attacking opposition parties.

The BRS leader emphasised that the protest was spontaneous, with no political party behind it, and that the growing support from various quarters indicated widespread anger among the youth. He warned that every attempt to suppress dissent would only strengthen the movement.

The NEET paper leak, reported earlier this year, has raised concerns about the integrity of the exam system. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the matter, but student activists have criticised the government's response as inadequate. The protests in New Delhi have seen clashes between students and police, with several activists detained.

BRS is the principal opposition party in Telangana, and its stance on the issue reflects a broader political dynamic as the state prepares for upcoming elections. The party has sought to position itself as a defender of student rights, while criticising the Congress-led state government for not taking a stronger stand against the BJP.