Karnataka Dy CM Parameshwara writes to PM Modi, demands NEET rollback and probe
Synopsis
Karnataka Deputy CM G. Parameshwara has formally written to PM Modi demanding NEET be scrapped and state CETs restored — escalating the paper-leak row into a direct Centre-state confrontation. The letter also raises the political temperature by flagging the alleged manhandling of Rahul Gandhi at a protest, turning an exam controversy into a democratic accountability argument.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Deputy CM G.
Parameshwara wrote to PM Narendra Modi on 23 July over the NEET controversy.
He demanded the rollback of NEET and restoration of transparent, merit-based State CETs .
The letter called for a time-bound, impartial inquiry into the alleged question paper leak and examination irregularities.
Parameshwara criticised alleged lathi-charges and tear gas use against protesting students.
The letter flagged the alleged manhandling of Rahul Gandhi during a protest, calling it 'deeply troubling.' The Centre is yet to formally respond to the demands.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Thursday, 23 July wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre to roll back the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and order an impartial inquiry into the alleged question paper leak and examination irregularities that have triggered nationwide student protests. The letter, written in Parameshwara's capacity as both Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister, also raised concerns over the alleged use of force against demonstrators.
Key Demands in the Letter
Parameshwara called on the Union government to restore transparent, merit-based State Common Entrance Tests (CETs) in place of NEET, arguing that the centralised exam had undermined student confidence. He also demanded a time-bound, impartial inquiry into the alleged paper leak, compensation for families of students who lost their lives or sustained injuries during protests, and fixed accountability for the alleged police action against demonstrators.
'For lakhs of young people, examinations are not merely tests; they represent years of sacrifice, discipline, and hope. When the credibility of such examinations is questioned, it is not only an administrative failure but also a breach of trust between the State and its youth,' Parameshwara wrote.
Concerns Over Police Action Against Protesters
The Deputy Chief Minister criticised what he described as disproportionate police action, citing reports of lathi-charges, tear gas, and forcible dispersal of students. He argued that in a democracy, the voices of young people must be met with engagement rather than suppression.
Parameshwara also flagged the alleged treatment of Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi during a protest. 'The manhandling of Rahul Gandhi during a peaceful protest, resulting in injuries, sends a deeply troubling message not only to India's citizens but also to democracies across the world,' the letter stated.
The NEET Controversy: Background
The NEET row erupted after allegations of a question paper leak and widespread examination irregularities surfaced earlier this year, triggering protests by medical aspirants across multiple states. The controversy has intensified calls — particularly from opposition-governed states — to scrap NEET and return medical admissions to state-controlled entrance tests. Karnataka has historically been vocal about restoring its own CET system.
This comes amid a broader national debate over centralised examinations, with several state governments and student bodies arguing that NEET disadvantages students from non-English-medium and rural backgrounds.
What Parameshwara Is Asking the Centre to Do
In summary, the letter urges the Centre to: roll back NEET and restore state CETs; order a credible, time-bound probe into alleged irregularities; compensate affected families; fix accountability for police action; and initiate meaningful dialogue with students and educators to restore public trust in India's examination framework.
'The questions raised by our youth deserve answers, not barricades; dialogue, not suppression,' Parameshwara wrote, framing the issue as one of democratic accountability rather than mere administrative reform.
The Centre is yet to formally respond to the letter; how the Union government addresses these demands will be closely watched by student groups and opposition parties alike.
Point of View
On-record escalation to the Prime Minister, which raises the stakes for the Centre to respond. NEET has become a proxy battleground between centralisation and federalism in education, and the silence of the Union government so far only amplifies opposition narratives. If the Centre dismisses the letter without substantive engagement, it risks handing opposition states a ready-made accountability issue ahead of the next electoral cycle.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Karnataka Deputy CM Parameshwara write to PM Modi about NEET?
Parameshwara wrote to PM Modi on 23 July to express concern over the alleged NEET question paper leak, examination irregularities, and the use of force against student protesters. He urged the Centre to roll back NEET, restore state CETs, and order an impartial inquiry into the controversy.
What is the NEET paper leak controversy?
The NEET controversy refers to allegations of a question paper leak and widespread examination irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for medical admissions. The allegations triggered protests by students across India and intensified demands from several states to scrap the centralised exam.
What specific actions did Parameshwara demand from the Centre?
He demanded five actions: rollback of NEET and restoration of state CETs; a time-bound, impartial probe into alleged irregularities; compensation for families of students who died or were injured during protests; fixed accountability for alleged police action; and meaningful dialogue with students and educators.
Why did the letter mention Rahul Gandhi?
Parameshwara alleged that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was manhandled during a peaceful protest, resulting in injuries. The letter described this as sending a 'deeply troubling message' to citizens and to democracies globally, framing it as a broader democratic accountability concern.
Has the Centre responded to Karnataka's demands on NEET?
As of the time of writing, the Centre has not formally responded to Parameshwara's letter. The Union government's position on the demands — particularly on rolling back NEET — remains to be seen.
