Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, questioning his decision to call for a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official residence — a location where demonstrations are legally prohibited. Shinde, who also heads the Shiv Sena faction in the ruling alliance, accused Gandhi of irresponsibility and political opportunism in the wake of the NEET paper leak controversy.

Shinde Questions Gandhi's Intent

Speaking in Mumbai, Shinde posed a series of pointed questions at the Congress leader. 'What exactly did Rahul Gandhi intend to achieve by urging people to gather at a location where protests are prohibited? Was there a plot to cause sabotage at the Prime Minister's residence? Was this an attempt to create anarchy in the country?' he said.

Shinde argued that as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi carries a significant constitutional responsibility and is expected to conduct himself with commensurate maturity. He accused Gandhi of setting a 'dangerous precedent' by directing demonstrators toward a restricted zone.

NEET Controversy at the Centre of the Row

The protest call by Gandhi was linked to the NEET exam paper leak incident, which triggered nationwide outrage among students and parents. Shinde acknowledged the episode as 'unfortunate' but maintained that the Union government responded swiftly and decisively.

'The re-examination for NEET was conducted with complete transparency and rigour. Around 20 to 22 lakh students appeared for the exam, with nearly 11 lakh qualifying,' Shinde said. He added that subsequent national-level examinations — JEE and CUET (Common University Entrance Test) — also proceeded without disruption, with a combined 40 to 50 lakh students participating across the three exams.

Government's Response Defended

Shinde credited Prime Minister Modi and the Centre with personally overseeing corrective measures. 'Intervention at the highest level ensured that the examination system became more secure, transparent, and trustworthy,' he alleged, contrasting what he described as the government's constructive response with what he called the Opposition's attempt to 'politicise the issue.'

Notably, this is not the first time the NEET controversy has become a flashpoint between the ruling coalition and the Opposition. The paper leak, which reportedly surfaced ahead of the May 2024 examination, drew calls for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and a Supreme Court hearing, making it one of the most politically charged education-related crises in recent years.

Political Fallout

Shinde's broadside reflects the ruling alliance's broader strategy of framing the Congress-led Opposition's protests as destabilising rather than democratic. Critics of this position argue that questioning examination integrity is a legitimate legislative function of the Opposition, and that the protest call was a response to student grievances that had not been adequately addressed through parliamentary channels.

With student unrest over competitive exam integrity still simmering, the political battle over the NEET fallout is unlikely to subside soon.