Pralhad Joshi slams Rahul Gandhi over 152 paper leak claim, calls it misinformation
Synopsis
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has directly challenged Rahul Gandhi's claim that 152 paper leaks occurred under the Modi government, calling it deliberate misinformation targeting students. With Parliament in session and the NEET controversy still raw, the BJP is going on the offensive — framing Gandhi's figure as politically fabricated rather than factual.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on 23 July accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading misinformation among students for political reasons.
Gandhi had claimed 152 question paper leaks occurred under the Modi government ; Joshi called the figure baseless and demanded its source.
Joshi said the government acted within days of detecting paper leaks, with all accused sent to jail.
The Centre successfully conducted the Re-NEET examination to give lakhs of aspirants a fair, merit-based opportunity.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister J.P.
Nadda have already stated the government's readiness for a structured parliamentary debate on the issue.
Joshi alleged that despite this, the Congress continues to engage in 'political theatrics outside Parliament.'
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday, 23 July launched a sharp attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of deliberately spreading misinformation among students and youth for political gain. Joshi asserted that the Narendra Modi government remains unconditionally committed to protecting the future of every student in the country.
The Charge Against Rahul Gandhi
At the centre of the dispute is Gandhi's claim that 152 question paper leaks occurred under the Modi government. Joshi flatly rejected the figure, demanding to know its source. 'He claims there were 152 paper leaks under the Narendra Modi Government, but where did he arrive at this number?' Joshi said, calling the assertion baseless and irresponsible coming from the Leader of the Opposition.
'The Centre does not expect such conduct from the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. It is unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi is spreading false information among students and youth and politicising issues concerning them merely to remain politically relevant,' the minister said in a formal statement.
Government's Position on Paper Leaks and NEET
Joshi maintained that the Union government has acted decisively whenever examination irregularities have surfaced. 'In cases where question paper leaks were detected, action was initiated within days, and all the accused were sent to jail,' he said.
On the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) controversy specifically, Joshi said the Centre successfully conducted a re-examination, ensuring a fair and transparent process for lakhs of deserving aspirants. 'The government ensured that millions of hardworking candidates were given an opportunity to compete on merit through a transparent and just examination process,' he added.
Parliament Debate and Congress 'Theatrics'
The minister noted that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda have already stated the government's readiness for a structured, fact-based debate on the matter inside Parliament. Despite this, Joshi alleged, the Indian National Congress (INC) has chosen to conduct 'political theatrics outside Parliament' rather than engage on the floor of the House.
Joshi also posted his remarks on social media platform X, reiterating that swift action was taken after the paper leak was detected and that the Re-NEET was conducted to give aspirants a fair opportunity on merit.
Broader Context
The exchange comes amid sustained political pressure on the Centre over examination integrity, particularly following the NEET-UG 2024 controversy that triggered nationwide protests by students. The Opposition has repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament, while the government has defended its record on swift action against those responsible. This latest salvo from Joshi signals that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intends to contest the Opposition's narrative aggressively ahead of the parliamentary session.
Point of View
Not a factual audit — the minister questions the source of Gandhi's '152' figure but does not provide a competing tally of his own. The NEET controversy has already cost the government credibility with students, a demographic it cannot afford to alienate. Deflecting to Congress 'theatrics' avoids the harder question: what independent mechanism now exists to prevent future exam irregularities? The real accountability gap is not Gandhi's arithmetic — it is the absence of a structural fix.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Pralhad Joshi accuse Rahul Gandhi of saying about paper leaks?
Joshi accused Gandhi of falsely claiming that 152 question paper leaks took place under the Modi government, calling it deliberate misinformation spread among students for political purposes. He demanded Gandhi disclose the source of the figure.
What is the government's response to question paper leak allegations?
The government maintains it acted swiftly whenever paper leaks were detected, initiating action within days and sending all accused to jail. It also conducted the Re-NEET examination to give affected aspirants a fair, merit-based opportunity.
Why has the NEET paper leak controversy become a political flashpoint?
The NEET-UG 2024 controversy triggered widespread student protests and sustained Opposition pressure in Parliament, with the Congress repeatedly raising the issue of examination integrity. The BJP has responded by defending its record and accusing the Opposition of politicising student concerns.
Is the government willing to debate the paper leak issue in Parliament?
Yes. Joshi stated that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister J.P. Nadda have already confirmed the government's readiness for a structured, fact-based debate inside Parliament. Joshi alleged that the Congress has instead chosen to hold protests outside the House.
Who is Pralhad Joshi and what is his role in this controversy?
Pralhad Joshi is the Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs. He issued the statement responding to Gandhi's paper leak claims and also posted his remarks on social media platform X, making him the BJP's primary spokesperson on this issue.
