Congress demands Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over NEET paper leak allegations

Congress MLA and AICC spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Rathore stated on Friday that the Centre is under pressure regarding the alleged NEET paper leak controversy and criticised the Prime Minister’s recent statement for failing to address the main demands of the protesting students. Speaking to ANI in Shimla, Rathore said the government’s engagement with protest groups signalled its pressure but insisted that the students’ key concerns remained unresolved. “The government’s actions show that it is under pressure. However, the demands for which students are protesting have still not been fulfilled. The Prime Minister’s statement was an attempt to deflect the issue rather than address the students’ concerns,” Rathore said. He reaffirmed the Congress party’s demand for the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, asserting that accountability must be established in light of the examination controversy. “The Congress party supports the students’ demands. Dharmendra Pradhan should resign immediately. The officials responsible for the alleged misconduct against students, especially female students during the protests at Jantar Mantar, should be suspended with immediate effect,” Rathore added. Rathore also emphasised that meaningful dialogue could occur only after action was taken against those accountable and urged the Prime Minister to present any proposed anti-paper leak legislation in Parliament rather than announcing it outside the House. “If the government wants to bring a law, it should do so in Parliament after taking the Opposition into confidence. That is the essence of democracy,” he said. Defending the Congress’s support for the student protests, Rathore said it was the Opposition’s duty to back young people raising concerns about the examination system. “When students and youth are subjected to police action and lathi-charge, it is our duty as the Opposition to raise their voice. These students are our children and the future of the country, so it is our responsibility to stand with them,” he stated. Responding to remarks by BJP leaders on the matter, Rathore declined to comment, saying, “I do not wish to react to those statements.”