Opposition Demands Dharmendra Pradhan Resign Over NEET Paper Leaks

Indian opposition lawmakers and youth demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following alleged paper leaks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and police violence against protesters. The crisis escalated on July 22 as members of the Congress and Samajwadi parties forced a temporary suspension of proceedings in the Rajya Sabha. Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi insisted that a fair parliamentary discussion on the controversy under Rule 267 can only occur if Pradhan resigns.

Protests organized by the Cockroach Janata Party and activist Sonam Wangchuk have spread from New Delhi to cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. In Delhi, police detained Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra near Lok Kalyan Marg during a 'Sansad Chalo' march. The Delhi High Court subsequently issued notices to the government and Delhi Police to preserve CCTV footage following allegations of excessive force.

Union Minister J.P. Nadda and Minister Jitendra Singh visited Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where Wangchuk has been on an indefinite fast since June 28. While Nadda expressed readiness for a comprehensive parliamentary debate and urged the opposition to avoid politicizing the issue, he accused Rahul Gandhi of selectively highlighting leaks in BJP-ruled states while ignoring those in opposition-governed regions. Social activist Anna Hazare also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arguing that a ministerial resignation would increase government accountability and citing reports that 22 students committed suicide following exam irregularities.