NEET irregularities: Odisha Congress demands Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation
Synopsis
Hundreds of Odisha Congress and NSUI activists marched in Bhubaneswar on 28 May, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged NEET-UG irregularities. Congress claims 22 lakh students are affected and alleges 90 exam paper leaks over 10 years — a political escalation that puts the NTA and the Centre firmly on the defensive.
Key Takeaways
Odisha Congress and NSUI held a torchlight rally in Bhubaneswar on 28 May over alleged NEET-UG irregularities.
Police stopped the march near Banadurga Temple , triggering a nearly one-hour stand-off.
Congress leader Bibhuti Bhushan Mohapatra alleged the futures of 22 lakh students were affected by the NEET-UG cancellation.
He further alleged 90 exam paper leaks over 10 years , impacting around 6.5 crore students directly and indirectly.
Protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the abolition of the NTA .
The agitation is set to continue under NSUI President Vinod Jakhar and Odisha PCC President Bhakta Charan Das .
Odisha Congress on Wednesday, 28 May staged a large-scale protest in Bhubaneswar against the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the abolition of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Hundreds of activists marched under the banner of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), led by Chhatra Congress leader Bibhuti Bhushan Mohapatra.
The Protest and Police Stand-Off
Demonstrators took out a torchlight rally from the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) office, marching towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state headquarters in the city. Police personnel intercepted the procession midway near Banadurga Temple, resulting in a tense face-off that lasted nearly an hour. Protesters also burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dharmendra Pradhan during the demonstration.
Key Allegations by Congress Leaders
Mohapatra alleged that the future of around 22 lakh students had been jeopardised following the cancellation of the NEET-UG examination. He further claimed that question papers of nearly 90 important examinations had been leaked over the last 10 years under the Modi government, allegedly affecting around 6.5 crore students directly and indirectly.
The NSUI leader also alleged that papers for as many as 41 major recruitment examinations — linked to approximately one lakh jobs — had been leaked over the last five to seven years, impacting nearly 1.40 crore aspirants. Mohapatra specifically targeted Pradhan, alleging that repeated paper-leak incidents occurred during his tenure without effective corrective action.
Demand to Abolish NTA and Investigate Pradhan
Congress leaders called for the complete abolition of the NTA, arguing that a series of controversies had eroded the agency's credibility beyond repair. Mohapatra demanded that Pradhan resign on moral grounds and also be brought within the scope of any investigation into the alleged NEET irregularities. He stated that the 'careless manner' in which the NEET-UG examination was conducted had deeply distressed the student community nationwide.
Political Backing and Next Steps
The torchlight rally was inaugurated by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhakta Charan Das, who attended alongside several Congress and Chhatra Congress leaders. Mohapatra declared that the agitation would continue under the leadership of NSUI President Vinod Jakhar and with the backing of the state unit. Earlier in the day, Mohapatra and Chhatra Congress leader Spandan Swain held a press conference at the PCC office, sharply criticising the Centre over the alleged examination irregularities. The protest signals that the NEET controversy is set to intensify as a political flashpoint heading into the parliamentary session.
Point of View
Congress is making it a personnel issue — easier to communicate, harder for the BJP to deflect. The figures cited — 90 leaked exams, 6.5 crore students affected — are unverified claims from the opposition, and the government has not yet responded to them in detail. What this protest does confirm is that the NEET controversy has migrated from student campuses to organised party politics, and the Centre's silence on credible accountability measures is becoming increasingly untenable.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Odisha Congress protest over NEET on 28 May?
Odisha Congress and NSUI activists protested in Bhubaneswar on 28 May over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, including the cancellation of the exam and claims of question paper leaks. They demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the abolition of the NTA.
What did Congress leader Bibhuti Bhushan Mohapatra allege?
Mohapatra alleged that around 22 lakh students were affected by the NEET-UG cancellation and that question papers of nearly 90 examinations had been leaked over 10 years under the Modi government, impacting approximately 6.5 crore students. He also claimed 41 recruitment exam papers were leaked over five to seven years, affecting 1.40 crore job aspirants.
Why is Congress demanding the abolition of the NTA?
Congress and NSUI leaders argue that repeated controversies surrounding NTA-conducted examinations have irreparably eroded the agency's credibility. They contend that without structural change, the integrity of high-stakes national examinations cannot be guaranteed.
What happened when protesters marched towards BJP headquarters?
Police stopped the torchlight rally midway near Banadurga Temple in Bhubaneswar, leading to a tense stand-off between protesters and police that lasted nearly an hour. Demonstrators also burnt effigies of PM Modi and Education Minister Pradhan during the demonstration.
Will the Odisha Congress agitation continue?
Yes. NSUI leader Mohapatra stated that the agitation would continue under the leadership of NSUI President Vinod Jakhar and with the support of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhakta Charan Das, signalling a sustained campaign on the NEET issue.
