BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Friday, 24 July 2026, launched a sharp attack on the opposition, accusing it of exploiting student protests over paper leaks for political gain rather than cooperating with the government on solutions. Thakur defended the Modi government's response to the NEET paper leak controversy and cited a record of inaction by opposition-ruled state governments.

Context

In his post, Thakur alleged that opposition parties were 'राजनैतिक रोटियाँ सेंक रहे हैं' ('baking their political bread') on the back of student agitation instead of working constructively with the government. He claimed that during the Congress government's tenure in Rajasthan, 17 paper leaks took place, and that opposition-ruled governments across the country collectively saw over 100 paper leak incidents without taking cognisance or action. These specific figures are part of Thakur's political argument and have not been independently verified.

The NEET controversy emerged as one of the most politically charged education issues in recent years, with allegations of question-paper leaks triggering nationwide protests by medical aspirants and calls for accountability from student groups and political parties alike.

Policy Backdrop

Thakur highlighted several steps taken by the central government in response to the NEET paper leak: the swift arrest of 13 accused, a re-examination conducted 'with full transparency and on time', and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of fast-track courts to handle paper-leak cases. Modi also announced that stricter measures would be taken against future offenders. These figures and claims originate from Thakur's post and the government's stated position.

Paper leaks in competitive examinations have been a persistent problem across India for over a decade, affecting not just NEET but also state-level recruitment and university entrance tests. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, passed by Parliament in 2024, was a legislative step aimed at deterring malpractice through stiffer penalties, including imprisonment and fines.

Stakeholders and Impact

At the centre of the controversy are lakhs of medical aspirants who prepare for years for the NEET examination, and whose futures are directly affected by any compromise in exam integrity. Student groups have demanded not just arrests but systemic reform of the examination delivery mechanism, including greater use of technology and independent oversight.

The political dimension is equally significant: the Indian National Congress and other opposition parties have used the paper leak issue to question the government's administrative competence, while the BJP has sought to deflect by pointing to the opposition's own record in states it has governed. The back-and-forth has deepened the political contest over who bears responsibility for a problem that predates the current central government.

What's Next

The establishment of fast-track courts for paper-leak cases, as announced by PM Modi, will be closely watched as a test of the government's follow-through on its reform promises. Any new legislation or amendment introduced in Parliament to further strengthen penalties could become a legislative flashpoint between the treasury benches and the opposition.

With competitive examinations remaining the primary gateway for millions of young Indians into government jobs and professional courses, the pressure on both the central and state governments to deliver credible, tamper-proof examination systems is unlikely to ease ahead of the next cycle of major national-level tests.