The NEET battle enters a decisive phase: What changed on Wednesday
The NEET paper leak controversy entered a new phase on Wednesday, evolving from a dispute over examination integrity into a political, parliamentary and law-and-order challenge
The NEET paper leak controversy entered a new phase on Wednesday, evolving from a dispute over examination integrity into a political, parliamentary and law-and-order challenge. What began as protests over alleged irregularities has grown into a direct confrontation between the government and the Opposition, drawn Parliament into the centre of the debate, prompted a nationwide security review and raised wider questions about the credibility of India's examination system. Read Full Story Both the BJP and the Congress accused each other of politicising students' concerns while claiming to champion their interests. At the same time, the Centre signalled its willingness to debate the issue in Parliament even as protests intensified across several states and turned violent in parts of Delhi. Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike and the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) agitation continued to add to the pressure on the government regarding protesters' demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Here are the key developments that defined the latest phase of the NEET controversy: Centre agrees to Parliament debate on NEET: The government agreed to hold a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue in Parliament and said it was prepared for a debate under any rule and for any duration decided by the Opposition.
Rahul Gandhi says education system has failed students: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabaha, Rahul Gandhi, claimed that 152 alleged paper leaks over the past decade had affected 7.5 crore students, with not a single conviction secured so far. Calling the examination system "rigged", he said quality education had become increasingly unaffordable for ordinary families. BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of 'selective politics': BJP president JP Nadda accused Rahul Gandhi of selectively highlighting alleged paper leaks under BJP governments while ignoring similar incidents in Congress- and Opposition-ruled states. He said every allegation cited by the Leader of the Opposition would be investigated, and the government would place the facts before the nation. Sonam Wangchuk offers to end hunger strike: Wangchuk said he would end his 25-day indefinite fast if the Centre gave an unequivocal assurance that no punitive or retaliatory action would be taken against students and youth who participated in the protests. CJP insists on neutral venue for talks: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) reiterated that it would hold talks with the government only at a neutral venue, even as its agitation spread to several states and clashes were reported in places including Bihar.
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