Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi lashed out in the Parliament on Monday concerning the Central government's handling of the NEET paper leak row, stating, "It is evident to everyone that there is a significant problem with our examination system, affecting not just NEET but all major exams. The minister (Dharmendra Pradhan) has blamed everyone but himself. I doubt he even grasps the fundamental issues at play".
He also noted, "The issue at hand is that millions of students in the country are deeply concerned and believe that the Indian examination system is compromised. There is a widespread perception that wealth can influence and manipulate the system. This sentiment is also shared by many in the Opposition".
Further questioning the Centre's handling of alleged paper leaks in competitive exams, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav slammed the government, claiming it is setting new records for paper leaks.
"Students nationwide are protesting, investigations are revealing more, and arrests are being made. My only request is that students will not receive justice as long as this minister remains in office," Yadav stated.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, responding to the allegations, stated that exam results have been released according to the Supreme Court's directions. "I prefer not to engage in politics, but I have records of how many paper leaks occurred during Akhilesh Yadav's tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh," he said.
Pradhan said he is serving at the "mercy of my leader" and stated that the government is "collectively answerable" for the situation.
The Education minister defended his position, asserting that he has the support of his constituency and does not require validation from Parliament. He condemned Gandhi's characterisation of the examination system as "rubbish," calling it an unfortunate statement.
He also said, "Over the past seven years, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has conducted more than 240 exams, with over 5 crore students applying and over 4 crore participating. While there have been incidents, the current case is under the Supreme Court's scrutiny, with the Chief Justice personally overseeing the proceedings".
Besides, Pradhan also took a dig at the previous government, referencing a "remote control" jab often used by the BJP against the Manmohan Singh administration. "In 2010, three education reform bills were introduced by then-Minister Kapil Sibal, one of which aimed to prohibit unfair practices. The question remains: Why was that bill withdrawn? Was it due to pressure from private medical colleges? Now, those who questioned us are raising issues", he noted.
Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha raised concerns about exam paper leaks, demanding Pradhan’s resignation and the scrapping of the NEET, prompting Speaker Om Birla to call for a constructive discussion. Birla stated that widespread criticism could harm the perception of India's education system globally. He noted that the CBI and Supreme Court are already investigating the leaks and urged for the development of a better system rather than questioning all examinations.
Following Birla's remarks, Rahul Gandhi attempted to speak but was not permitted. In protest, the LoP, along with other Opposition members from TMC and DMK, walked out of the House. Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi led slogans demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Following the Opposition's walkout, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said, "Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should have addressed the issue directly. Instead, he spoke about the Supreme Court and PM Modi but did not clarify his actions on the matter. NEET is a crucial issue for the youth. Despite our repeated requests for parliamentary discussion, the government shows no interest. We will continue to raise this issue and pressure the government", during an interaction with the media.
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