NEET 2024: What began as an examination controversy in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test has emerged as a fast expanding point of political controversy amid severe criticism by opposition parties against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities and paper leaks. The controversy has drummed up protests by students from every nook and corner of the country and added to the mounting pressure on the leadership of Pradhan.
Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
It all started with allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in the conduction of the NEET exams. Students erupted into protests. The Samajwadi Party chief, Akhilesh Yadav, was the first to raise very strong objections. He claimed that the current government has set new records when it comes to paper leaks. “Students across the country are protesting. Investigation is leading to revelations, arrests are being made. “I have only one demand, students will not get justice if this minister continues,” Yadav announced, questioning Pradhan’s ability to do anything about the problem.
There was also more broadside, this time from the Congress Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. He slammed Pradhan over the way he has been running the examination system. “It’s crystal clear to the entire country that there is an extremely serious problem in our examination system,” Gandhi said. He has blamed everything and everyone except himself. I don’t even think that he knows the fundamentals of what’s happening here.” The youngster pointed out the growing perception among students that the Indian examination system is compromised, suggesting that wealth can unfairly influence outcomes. His remarks underlined the pitch of the opposition about the need for urgent systemic reforms to regain credibility.
Pradhan’s Defence and Counterattacks
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan hit back at the Opposition, defending himself and the sanctity of the examination system. He said the results were announced as per the apex court directions while protesting the manner in which the opposition was projecting the situation. “Lies will not become truth if you shout. The country’s examination system has been called rubbish. There cannot be a more unfortunate statement by the Leader of the Opposition.”. “I condemn this,” Pradhan said in justification of the integrity of the examination process.
Pradhan targeted some of the previous regimes. His salvo, however was reserved for the Manmohan Singh government. “In 2010, three Bills for education reforms had been introduced by their minister Kapil Sibal. One of them was to prohibit unfair practices. What was their problem? Under whose pressure was that Bill withdrawn? Was it due to the pressure from private medical colleges?
Yadav Claims Over 2000 Students Passed Illegally at Some Centres
Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav says, “This government will make a record of paper leaks… There are some centres where more than 2,000 students have passed. As long as this minister (Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan) is there, the students will not get justice.”
Government’s Stance and Ongoing Challenges
He insisted that NTA—conducting various examinations—has conducted more than 240 examinations with participation of more than 5 crore students, and there has been no evidence of paper leaks in the last seven years. “There is no evidence of paper leak in the last seven years,” he declared and added that the government is transparent and not hiding anything.
Amidst mounting criticism, Congress MP B. Manickam Tagore questioned whether Pradhan would resign; he replied, “I am at the mercy of my leader. Whenever accountability comes, the government is collectively answerable to that.” The tacit message in this reply of Pradhan is that his position will depend upon the support of his political leadership and collective responsibility in the government in the face of the raging controversy.
Political Ramifications and Future Prospects
Political Implications of NEET Scandal Challenge BJP Leadership
Dharmendra Pradhan is a key leader of the BJP from Odisha and has been a minister in all three governments that Modi has headed. The present controversy over NEET heightens political scrutiny and tosses difficult challenges before the BJP. Issues regarding NEET and other competitive exams are not simply administrative but have far greater implications for how public trust in the examination system is affected.
It is very imperative for both the Education Minister and the ruling party to come out and respond when the government continues grappling with the fallouts in an open and convincing manner. Perhaps, such scrutiny and criticism will always be there if doubts concerning the examination process are not cleared. Fairness and trustworthiness of the system for student confidence and, at the same time, integrity regarding the educational framework in the country are, therefore, incumbent.