Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, 22 July launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the NEET paper leak controversy, declaring that India's education system had been 'rigged' under the current government and was failing crores of students from lower and middle-class families. Speaking at a press conference at the Indian National Congress (INC) headquarters in New Delhi, Gandhi said the system was 'in tatters' and demanded immediate accountability.

Key Allegations: 152 Leaks, No Convictions

Gandhi cited a stark statistic at the heart of his indictment: 'At least 152 paper leaks have happened in the past 10 years. About 7.5 crore students and families have been affected because of this, but there has not been a single conviction,' he said. The Congress leader argued that this near-total absence of legal accountability was not an administrative failure but a systemic one — pointing to what he described as deliberate inaction by those in power.

Three Demands from the Opposition

Gandhi put forward three specific demands, calling on the government to act immediately. First, he demanded the removal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whom he described as 'corrupt and incompetent.' Second, he called for fixed accountability and culpability for those responsible for lapses in the NEET examinations. Third, he demanded a public apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he referred to as 'the top person behind the entire mess.'

Students' Protest: 'Completely Legitimate'

Defending the ongoing student demonstrations in the capital, Gandhi said their demands were 'completely legitimate' and accused the government of using force to suppress the movement. He argued that students who invest years of effort and whose families spend 'money in lakhs' for competitive examinations were being systematically locked out of the system, while those from privileged backgrounds secured medical seats.

Broader Impact on Education and Equity

Gandhi framed the NEET controversy as part of a wider crisis in Indian education, arguing that the country's 'biggest asset' — its education system — was being dismantled. He said the 'rigged' system disproportionately disadvantaged students from economically weaker sections, denying them a fair and level playing field. This comes amid mounting national debate over the integrity of centrally administered examinations, with several opposition parties and student unions demanding a complete overhaul of the examination authority NTA (National Testing Agency).

Political Context and What Comes Next

The press conference marks an escalation in the Congress-led opposition's campaign against the BJP government on the education front. Gandhi's remarks follow weeks of student protests and multiple court hearings related to the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak. The Supreme Court of India is currently hearing petitions on the matter, and pressure is mounting on the Centre to respond with concrete structural reforms. Whether the government moves on any of the three demands — or whether this remains a political flashpoint heading into the monsoon session of Parliament — will be closely watched.