Rahul Gandhi questions Telegram block ahead of NEET re-exam; BJP responds

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticised the central government's decision to temporarily restrict access to the Telegram messaging platform ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, calling the move a diversionary tactic that targets students rather than the organised networks behind exam fraud. The restriction was reportedly imposed to prevent potential paper leaks following a controversy that led to the cancellation of the original test.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) before his 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' rally in Kota, Rajasthan, Gandhi argued that Telegram has long been used by students for educational purposes—sharing notes, test series, and participating in discussion groups. 'Millions of students have been studying on Telegram for years. How does snatching that facility become the solution to paper leaks?' he wrote. He also suggested that those involved in organised exam fraud would easily find alternative communication methods, making the ban ineffective.

Gandhi accused the government of relying on optics rather than tackling the root cause of the paper leak problem. 'On exam day, students will be frisked. Pockets will be cut open with scissors. Question papers will be sent via the Air Force. There won't be any shortage of theatrics,' he said. 'But not a single strike at the root of the disease—because the paper leak mafia is thriving under this very government's watch.' Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly, he added: 'Strike at the mafia, not the students.'

The remarks are part of the Congress party's broader student outreach campaign, #ChhatronKiGoonj, which seeks to highlight issues such as paper leaks, examination irregularities, recruitment delays, and rising education costs. According to AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal, the first phase of the movement began in Kota and is expected to expand to Prayagraj, Patna, and Delhi.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly responded to Gandhi's criticism. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi described Gandhi's comments as reflecting a 'very obnoxious mindset' and accused him of trying to exploit students' concerns for political gain. 'Whatever Rahul Gandhi has tweeted, I think his nefarious and very obnoxious mindset has come out in the open,' Trivedi told reporters. 'What is the urgency of these 72 hours? He's using the word battleground. Battleground of what? A defeated leader, a defeated army general who has had his political party defeated by his series of misjudgements. Now he wants to use this sensitive occasion and exploit the feelings of students.'

The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination is scheduled for June 21. The National Testing Agency ordered the re-test after the original examination was cancelled due to allegations of a paper leak, an incident that triggered nationwide protests and investigations. The issue has since become a central focus of the Congress party's campaign aimed at young voters.