BJP fires back at Congress 'back foot' claim, cites NTA overhaul and Parliament offer
Synopsis
The BJP-Congress war of words over India's exam crisis has shifted to Parliament itself — with the BJP asking why the Opposition protested outside with toy monkeys instead of debating inside. The NTA overhaul and the former Education Minister's exit are the ruling party's evidence that it acted; Congress insists the government is still on the back foot.
Key Takeaways
BJP on 20 August rejected Congress General Secretary K.C.
Venugopal's claim that the Centre was 'on the back foot' over student issues.
Venugopal had declared the Monsoon Session '100 per cent successful' for the Opposition after a CWC meeting on Wednesday .
BJP spokesperson T.R.
Srinivas cited the former Education Minister's exit and a full NTA revamp as evidence of government accountability.
Srinivas alleged the Opposition chose demonstrations — including a protest with toy monkeys led by Congress MP Pawan Khera — over parliamentary debate.
The BJP maintained it sought a formal Parliament discussion on exam paper leaks and student protests, accusing the Opposition of blocking it.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, 20 August sharply rebutted the Indian National Congress claim that the Centre was on the 'back foot' over student issues, countering that it was the Opposition itself that blocked a substantive parliamentary debate on examination paper leaks and student protests during the recently concluded Monsoon Session of Parliament.
What Congress Said
Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, speaking after a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Wednesday, declared the Monsoon Session '100 per cent successful for the Opposition parties' and said the government was 'totally on the back foot' on educational issues, including student agitations and exam paper leaks. The CWC, he said, reached this assessment unanimously.
BJP's Counter-Argument
BJP spokesperson T.R. Srinivas dismissed Venugopal's remarks as being 'out of touch' with the government's actual record. Srinivas pointed to the Centre's decision to ask its former Education Minister to step down, a mid-course correction in policy, and a comprehensive revamp of the National Testing Agency (NTA) as evidence that the government had already acted decisively.
'If we were so out of sync, then why would we request our honourable former Education Minister to step down, undertake a mid-course correction, revamp the entire NTA, and ensure accountability? Please talk with facts before saying anything,' Srinivas said.
The Parliament Debate Question
Srinivas argued that the BJP had actively sought a parliamentary discussion on student concerns but alleged the Opposition chose demonstrations over debate. 'We wanted to debate this issue in the Parliament. Where were you then?' he asked. The BJP maintained that the government was prepared to examine systemic shortcomings in the examination framework, but said the Opposition preferred confrontation to constructive engagement.
A Sharp Personal Exchange
The BJP spokesperson also took aim at a protest staged by Opposition members of Parliament outside the Parliament building, led by Congress MP Pawan Khera, during which protestors carried toy monkeys. Srinivas referenced the demonstration pointedly, saying: 'Your two monkeys, carrying two other monkeys, were dancing outside the Parliament. Instead of blaming us, think about what you did.'
BJP's Position on Students
Srinivas stressed that students in distress needed practical solutions, not political point-scoring. 'Students need solutions and not political misappropriation in times of distress. We don't do distress politics, but listen to the students and find solutions,' he said. This comes amid broader public concern over the integrity of competitive examinations and the functioning of the NTA, which has faced scrutiny following reports of question paper leaks earlier this year.
With both parties trading accusations over who failed students, the political battle over India's examination crisis is set to intensify as Parliament reconvenes.
Point of View
But they followed public outrage — not proactive governance. Congress's claim of a '100 per cent successful' session rings hollow when its own MPs were protesting outside with props instead of pressing the government inside the chamber. The students at the centre of this crisis are being converted into a political football, and neither side has yet offered a credible, independent mechanism to prevent the next paper leak.
NationPress
20 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Congress claim about the government and student issues?
Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, after a CWC meeting on Wednesday, said the government was 'totally on the back foot' on educational issues including exam paper leaks and student agitations, and called the Monsoon Session '100 per cent successful' for the Opposition.
How did the BJP respond to Congress's 'back foot' claim?
BJP spokesperson T.R. Srinivas rejected the claim, citing the government's decision to ask its former Education Minister to step down, a policy mid-course correction, and a full revamp of the National Testing Agency (NTA) as evidence of decisive action.
Did the BJP want a Parliament debate on student issues?
Yes, the BJP claimed it sought a formal parliamentary debate on student concerns during the Monsoon Session but alleged the Opposition prevented a substantive discussion, choosing demonstrations outside Parliament instead.
What is the NTA controversy at the centre of this dispute?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) faced widespread criticism following reports of examination paper leaks earlier in 2024, triggering student protests across India. The government subsequently replaced its leadership and announced a structural overhaul of the agency.
Who is Pawan Khera and what was the protest about?
Pawan Khera is a Congress MP who led an Opposition protest outside Parliament during the Monsoon Session. BJP spokesperson Srinivas referenced the demonstration — which involved toy monkeys — as an example of the Opposition prioritising theatrics over debate.
