NEET row: Assam Congress demands Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation in Guwahati rally
Synopsis
Assam's Congress unit took to the streets of Guwahati on 22 July, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET scandal — and calling for Parliament to hold a full debate. With opposition pressure mounting nationally, the APCC's rally signals that the controversy is far from contained, and student grievances are now a live political flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) held a protest rally in Guwahati on 22 July over the alleged NEET examination scandal .
The march was led by Leader of the Opposition Wazed Ali Choudhury and began at Rajiv Bhawan .
Congress demanded the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on moral grounds.
The APCC also called for a parliamentary debate on NEET and withdrawal of FIRs against student protesters in Delhi.
Several Congress MLAs and senior party leaders participated; the protest remained peaceful under police supervision.
The party vowed to continue its agitation until the Centre accepts accountability for the alleged irregularities.
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Wednesday, 22 July staged a protest rally in Guwahati, demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET examination scandal. The march also called for a comprehensive parliamentary debate on the controversy and the withdrawal of all FIRs filed against students who protested in Delhi over the alleged irregularities.
How the Protest Unfolded
The demonstration began at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati and was led by Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly, Wazed Ali Choudhury. Congress leaders and workers raised slogans against the Centre, accusing the Union government of failing to uphold transparency and fairness in the conduct of the all-India medical entrance examination. The rally remained peaceful throughout, proceeding under police supervision.
Several Congress legislators joined the march, including Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dr Jayanta Prakash Das and MLAs Zakir Hussain Sikdar, Nurul Huda, Baby Begum, Asif Nazar, Zubair Anam, and Tanjil Hussain. Senior party functionaries also participated, among them APCC General Secretary Bipul Gogoi, Guwahati City District Congress Committee President Swapan Das, senior leader Rupa Deuri, General Secretaries Imdad Hussain, Bandip Dutta and Moinajan Begum, Scheduled Caste Cell Chairperson Krishna Das, and NSUI Assam President Kaushik Kashyap.
Key Demands of the APCC
The APCC put forward three primary demands: that Dharmendra Pradhan resign by accepting 'moral responsibility' for the controversy; that Parliament convene a detailed discussion on the alleged NEET irregularities; and that the Centre immediately withdraw all FIRs lodged against students who protested in Delhi. Congress leaders argued that the alleged examination malpractice had severely undermined the confidence of lakhs of students and their families across the country.
Background: The NEET Controversy
The NEET examination has been at the centre of a nationwide controversy, with allegations of paper leaks and irregularities surfacing after results were declared. Opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress (Congress), have pressed the Union government for accountability, while student groups in multiple cities have taken to the streets. This comes amid growing calls from several state governments and opposition-ruled legislatures for a judicial inquiry or a complete overhaul of the examination process.
What Comes Next
The APCC stated it would sustain its agitation until the Union government accepts responsibility and addresses the concerns raised by students and opposition parties. With Parliament in session, the pressure for a floor debate on the NEET issue is expected to intensify in the coming days.
Point of View
But its real test is whether it translates into parliamentary disruption rather than street theatre. Congress has a pattern of high-visibility protests that dissipate without extracting concessions — the NEET controversy, given its direct impact on lakhs of aspirants, may be different. The demand to withdraw FIRs against student protesters is politically shrewd: it repositions Congress as the defender of youth rather than a party merely targeting a minister. What is missing from the opposition playbook so far is a concrete alternative accountability mechanism — a demand for a Supreme Court-monitored probe or a Joint Parliamentary Committee, for instance, would carry more institutional weight than a resignation call alone.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Assam Congress demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation?
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee is demanding that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign by accepting 'moral responsibility' for the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, including claims of paper leaks. The party argues the controversy has shattered the confidence of lakhs of medical aspirants and their families.
What happened at the APCC protest rally in Guwahati on 22 July?
The APCC staged a protest march from Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati, led by Leader of the Opposition Wazed Ali Choudhury. Several Congress MLAs and senior party leaders participated, raising slogans against the Centre. The rally remained peaceful under police supervision.
What are Congress's demands over the NEET controversy?
Congress has put forward three demands: the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a comprehensive parliamentary debate on the NEET issue, and the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs filed against students who protested in Delhi over the alleged examination irregularities.
Who is affected by the alleged NEET irregularities?
The alleged irregularities in the NEET examination are said to have impacted lakhs of medical aspirants across the country who appeared for the all-India medical entrance test. Congress leaders argue that the controversy has undermined trust in the examination system for students and families nationwide.
What is the NEET examination controversy about?
The NEET controversy centres on allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in the conduct of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, the all-India medical entrance examination. Opposition parties and student groups have demanded accountability from the Union government, while students in multiple cities have staged protests.
