NEET Paper Leak – Opposition Renews Parliament Protest as Political Standoff Deepens

NEET Paper Leak – The political confrontation over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak is expected to intensify on Friday as opposition parties belonging to the INDIA bloc prepare to stage another protest outside Parliament at Makar Dwar at 10:30 a.m. The demonstration comes as repeated disruptions during the Monsoon Session have prevented normal legislative proceedings, with both the government and the opposition continuing to disagree over how the issue should be addressed inside the House.

Opposition Presses for Minister’s Resignation

The latest protest follows tense scenes witnessed a day earlier when members of the ruling NDA and the opposition gathered at the same location for separate demonstrations. While opposition leaders have continued to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the ruling alliance has maintained that the opposition is deliberately obstructing parliamentary discussions instead of participating in a formal debate.

The Congress party reiterated its position through a post on X, outlining what it described as three key demands linked to the controversy. According to the party, the Union Education Minister should step down, action should be taken against those responsible for the alleged use of force against protesting students, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should issue an apology to the country’s youth over the handling of the issue.

Kharge Seeks Prime Minister’s Statement in Parliament

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also sharpened his criticism of the government, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address Parliament directly instead of releasing a recorded video message outside the House. Kharge argued that a matter of such national importance deserved a formal statement before lawmakers during the ongoing session.

He further called for the dismissal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and sought strict action against officials responsible for the reported use of force during demonstrations by students protesting the examination controversy. Kharge said the opposition would be prepared for a detailed discussion on the country’s education system once these concerns were addressed.

Government Announces Tougher Measures

The Prime Minister, meanwhile, stated that stronger action would be taken against those found guilty of involvement in examination paper leaks. He also announced that the Union Cabinet would examine a draft Bill proposing the establishment of fast-track courts along with stricter legal penalties for individuals involved in such offences. The government has maintained that safeguarding the integrity of competitive examinations remains a priority and that legal reforms are being considered to strengthen accountability.

Sonia Gandhi Criticises Response to Student Protests

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi also criticized the Centre’s handling of the protests in an opinion article published in The Hindu. She alleged that peaceful demonstrations by students had been met with excessive force and argued that young people should be viewed as the country’s future rather than treated as adversaries.

Referring to the events surrounding the July 20 Parliament march, Gandhi claimed that police personnel and Central Armed Police Forces used measures including lathi charges and tear gas against demonstrators, leading to injuries among several participants. She appealed to the government to stop what she described as a crackdown on protesters and instead open channels of dialogue with students.

Parliament Session Continues Amid Political Deadlock

The NEET-UG paper leak issue has emerged as one of the most contentious subjects during the current Monsoon Session, with both the ruling alliance and opposition remaining firm on their respective positions. As fresh protests are scheduled outside Parliament, the dispute continues to dominate the national political agenda, while calls for accountability, legislative debate, and reforms in the examination system remain at the forefront of discussions.