Congress expresses concern over NEET leak, youth protests, warns of session disruption
The Congress party has expressed serious concern over the alleged leak of the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) question paper and the subsequent police action against student protesters. In a statement on Monday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh warned that the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament could be 'washed out' if the government does not address these issues promptly.
The NEET exam, a crucial gateway for medical admissions in India, faced allegations of a paper leak earlier this month. Several students and parents protested in various cities, demanding a re-examination and a thorough investigation. In some instances, police used force to disperse the protesters, leading to injuries and arrests.
Speaking to reporters, Ramesh said, 'The government's handling of the NEET leak and its treatment of young students demanding justice is unacceptable. If the administration fails to take concrete steps, the Monsoon Session will be washed out.' He urged the government to order a high-level inquiry and ensure that the culprits are punished.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responded by accusing the Congress of politicizing the issue. Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, 'The government takes all examination-related matters seriously. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is already investigating the leak. It is unfortunate that the Congress is trying to deflect attention from its own failures.'
The Monsoon Session is scheduled to begin next week and will debate key legislative agenda, including the Uniform Civil Code and the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill. Political analysts view the Congress's warning as a strategy to stall government business. However, the party maintains that its demand is rooted in constitutional principles of accountability and justice.
The NEET leak is not an isolated incident. Similar breaches have occurred in previous years, raising questions about the security of high-stakes examinations. Student groups have called for a centralized, tamper-proof system. The Supreme Court is also hearing a petition seeking a probe into the matter.
As the session approaches, all eyes are on the government's response. Whether the Congress follows through on its warning will depend on the progress of the investigation and the government's willingness to engage in dialogue.
