BJP and Congress Clash Over NEET Paper Leak Allegations

The Indian government faces intensifying criticism from opposition leaders and former allies following allegations of widespread paper leaks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). J P Nadda, BJP President and Union Minister, stated the government will investigate claims and is open to a parliamentary discussion, but he accused Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi of being selective by ignoring leaks in Congress-led states.

Rahul Gandhi alleged that 152 papers have been leaked over the last decade, affecting approximately 7.5 crore students, and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Supporting this stance, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu demanded public disclosure of the truth behind the leaks, asserting that the failures shatter the dreams of aspiring doctors and their families.

Adding to the pressure, former BJP leader K Annamalai criticized the central government's lack of accountability, noting that papers had leaked three times in five years. He questioned why the government delayed engagement with protesters until the situation reached a flashpoint, arguing that repeated failures jeopardize the credibility of the national education system.

In an effort to defuse tensions, Union Ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh visited activist Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital. They appealed for him to end his hunger strike, assuring him that his demands regarding the NEET issue would be considered.