NEET paper leak row: Assam minister accuses Rahul Gandhi of political exploitation
Synopsis
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu went on the offensive Thursday, accusing Rahul Gandhi of turning the NEET paper leak crisis into a political campaign rather than a reform conversation. With the BJP citing fast-track courts and a decade of education spending, the row is fast becoming a proxy battle over institutional credibility ahead of Parliament's monsoon session.
Key Takeaways
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu accused Rahul Gandhi of exploiting the alleged NEET paper leak controversy for political gain on 24 July .
PM Modi has directed authorities to set up fast-track courts for expeditious trials in examination paper leak cases.
Pegu alleged Congress and INDIA bloc parties disrupted Parliament instead of engaging in debate on the issue.
States cited for alleged exam irregularities include Rajasthan , Jharkhand , Tamil Nadu , West Bengal , and others.
The minister also criticised Gandhi's protest outside the PM's residence and highlighted the BJP government's increased education spending over the past decade.
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu on Thursday, 24 July accused Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, of seeking political capital from the alleged NEET paper leak controversy, claiming the Indian National Congress (INC) was weaponising students' anxieties rather than backing systemic reforms to secure competitive examinations.
Key Allegations at the Press Conference
Speaking at a press conference in Guwahati, Pegu described the alleged paper leak as a 'serious and sensitive matter' but insisted the Centre had moved swiftly, initiating legal proceedings against those allegedly involved. He pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive to establish fast-track courts for expeditious trials in examination paper leak cases as evidence of the government's commitment to accountability.
'The Prime Minister has directed the authorities to ensure speedy investigation and strict punishment for the guilty. This reflects the government's commitment to protecting the interests of students and preserving the integrity of competitive examinations,' Pegu said.
BJP's Charge Against Congress
Pegu alleged that Gandhi was exploiting the controversy to revive the Congress's political fortunes following successive electoral defeats. 'This is a time to address the concerns of students and strengthen institutions, not to indulge in political theatrics. Students' anxieties should not become a tool for political campaigns,' he remarked.
The minister claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners were willing to hold a detailed parliamentary debate on the issue, but alleged that Congress and other INDIA bloc parties had opted to disrupt proceedings instead.
States Cited for Exam Irregularities
Pegu broadened his attack by referring to alleged paper leak incidents and recruitment irregularities reported across several states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh. He specifically alleged that Rajasthan had witnessed repeated paper leak cases during the previous Congress government led by Ashok Gehlot.
Notably, the minister's enumeration of states appeared calibrated to deflect scrutiny from the Centre by spreading accountability across multiple Opposition-ruled or previously Opposition-ruled governments.
Education Budget and Gandhi's Protest
Pegu also criticised Gandhi's recent protest outside Prime Minister Modi's official residence, calling it inappropriate. He further highlighted what he described as a substantial increase in the education budget under the BJP-led government over the past decade, citing expansion in the number of IITs, IIMs, universities, and other higher education institutions across the country.
The NEET controversy has intensified pressure on the Centre ahead of Parliament's monsoon session, with Opposition parties demanding a Supreme Court-monitored probe and a re-examination for affected students. How the government navigates the competing demands of judicial scrutiny, student welfare, and political optics in the coming weeks will define the controversy's trajectory.
Point of View
And the fast-track court announcement, while significant, does not address the structural question of why the NTA's safeguards failed in the first place. The BJP's willingness to debate in Parliament rings hollow if the government has not yet tabled a credible reform roadmap. Students watching this exchange are unlikely to find comfort in partisan point-scoring from either side.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu say about Rahul Gandhi and NEET?
Pegu accused Rahul Gandhi of exploiting the alleged NEET paper leak controversy to revive Congress's political fortunes after electoral setbacks, rather than supporting reforms to strengthen the examination system. He made these remarks at a press conference in Guwahati on 24 July.
What action has the Centre taken on the NEET paper leak?
According to Pegu, the Centre initiated legal proceedings against those allegedly involved and Prime Minister Modi directed authorities to establish fast-track courts for speedy trials in examination paper leak cases.
Why did Pegu mention multiple states in connection with paper leaks?
Pegu cited alleged paper leak and recruitment irregularity incidents in states including Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh — an apparent effort to spread accountability beyond the Centre and highlight Opposition-governed states.
What is the BJP's position on a parliamentary debate over NEET?
Pegu claimed the BJP and its NDA allies were ready for a detailed parliamentary discussion on the NEET issue, but alleged that Congress and INDIA bloc parties chose to disrupt proceedings rather than engage constructively.
Why is the NEET paper leak controversy politically significant?
NEET is India's primary medical entrance examination, and alleged irregularities have triggered widespread student protests and Opposition demands for a Supreme Court-monitored probe. The row has become a flashpoint ahead of Parliament's monsoon session, putting pressure on both the Centre and the National Testing Agency.
