Paper leaks debate: Nadda accuses Gandhi of selectivity, urges Parliamentary discussion
Union Minister J.P. Nadda on Wednesday accused Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of being “selective” in citing paper leak instances, urging that the issue should not be exploited for political gain. Speaking at a press conference, Nadda said the government is ready for an in-depth discussion in Parliament, which he described as the most appropriate forum to find lasting solutions.
“Students have raised concerns regarding paper leaks. I appeal that the issue should not be turned into a political matter, nor should anyone seek political gains from it. This is a grave problem, and it deserves a serious and in-depth discussion,” Nadda said. He reiterated that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is treating the issue with utmost sincerity.
Reacting to Gandhi’s earlier press briefing, Nadda noted that the LoP had cited around 150 instances of paper leaks. “These matters require investigation. This is a responsible government; every issue will be thoroughly examined and all the facts will be placed before the people,” he said.
Nadda pointed out that Gandhi did not mention paper leak incidents reported under governments led by opposition parties, including the Congress. He claimed the list of such cases—in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Punjab, Kerala, and Karnataka—was longer. “I want to ask the Leader of the Opposition: why are you being so selective? This shows that your objective is not the welfare of students. Instead, you want to derive political mileage from students’ issues, which is unfortunate,” Nadda added.
He emphasised that Parliament is the best forum for discussion, not accusations. “We are ready for a detailed discussion to get to the root of the problem, identify the factors behind paper leaks, examine how the Union government has responded, and discuss how other governments should also tackle it,” he said.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised Nadda’s press conference as “a sure sign of the regime’s increasing desperation.” In a post on X, Ramesh said, “The whole press conference was an unending series of ‘what-aboutery’. Mr. Nadda must go beyond such juvenile finger-pointing to first acknowledge the uniquely spectacular nature of the Mantri Pradhan’s and Pradhan Mantri’s failures.”
Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the ongoing protests by students as a matter of serious concern, alleging that attempts were being made to “use the students and youth” as “political tools to serve their own political interests.” He said the government remains fully committed to fulfilling the aspirations of students and ensuring their welfare. “It is our responsibility to listen to every concern raised by our students and address it effectively. I am fully confident that India’s aware, mature and discerning youth can clearly see through such misleading attempts and will continue to choose the path of progress, development, and nation-building,” Singh said.
Singh added that despite the government’s willingness to hold meaningful discussions in Parliament, the Opposition was trying to “seek solutions on the streets.” He urged the Opposition to refrain from disrupting the ongoing Monsoon Session and to use Parliament to raise issues and draw the country’s attention.
