Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajendra Rathore on Wednesday, 17 June launched a sharp attack on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's visit to Kota, calling it a “comedy circus” and accusing the opposition party of exploiting student grief for political gain rather than offering genuine support.

The Core Allegation

Rathore alleged that the Congress-organised event in Kota — held in connection with the deaths of two students from Delhi and Dehradun, who reportedly died by suicide following the cancellation of the NEET examination — had been turned into an entertainment spectacle rather than a sombre tribute.

“For the first time in the country’s history, pop singer performances are being organised in the name of paying tribute to deceased students. This Congress-sponsored programme is nothing but a flop show and a comedy circus,” Rathore said.

He described the visit as “unfortunate and shameful,” arguing that an occasion meant for condolences had been converted into a political programme. Notably, the visit came just 72 hours before a scheduled NEET examination, a timing Rathore characterised as deliberate and misleading.

Rajasthan Paper Leak Record Invoked

Rathore trained his fire on former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, claiming that 19 paper leak incidents occurred during the Congress-led government in the state. He alleged that students had lost their lives to depression during that period, yet Rahul Gandhi had neither visited them nor expressed concern for Rajasthan's youth at the time.

He also questioned the presence of Sachin Pilot alongside Gandhi, pointing to Pilot's earlier Jan Sangharsh Yatra — during which the Congress leader had promised justice for students affected by paper leaks — and asking what concrete action had since been taken.

BJP's Governance Record Cited

Highlighting the current dispensation's record, Rathore claimed that under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, more than 45 recruitment examinations had been conducted without any paper leak incidents. He added that approximately 1.25 lakh youths had secured government jobs through what he described as a transparent recruitment process.

“In today’s Rajasthan, neither ‘parchi’ nor ‘kharchi’ works. Merit alone determines success,” Rathore said, using colloquial terms for nepotism and bribery in recruitment.

Broader Education Context

Drawing a contrast with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) era, Rathore argued that the number of higher education institutions — including AIIMS, engineering colleges, and medical colleges — had grown significantly under the current central government. The remarks come amid a broader national debate over examination integrity, triggered by controversies surrounding the NEET process.

What Happens Next

The political sparring over Kota — already a flashpoint for student distress and coaching-sector pressures — is likely to intensify as the NEET examination approaches. Both parties are expected to continue staking claims over student welfare ahead of the exam cycle, with the issue carrying significant electoral weight in Rajasthan.