Smriti Irani Targets Congress-JMM Over Jharkhand Paper Leak, Questions 'Selective Outrage'
Smriti Irani Targets Congress-JMM Over Jharkhand Paper Leak, Questions 'Selective Outrage' Published By, Last Updated: August 02, 2026, 17:15 IST Smriti Irani cited the "tyranny
Smriti Irani Targets Congress-JMM Over Jharkhand Paper Leak, Questions 'Selective Outrage' Published By, Last Updated: August 02, 2026, 17:15 IST Smriti Irani cited the "tyranny of distance", alleging Jharkhand's paper leak was overlooked compared to Jantar Mantar protests. Rapid Read Smriti Irani cited the "tyranny of distance", alleging Jharkhand's paper leak was overlooked compared to Jantar Mantar protests. Senior BJP leader and former Union Education Minister Smriti Irani launched a sharp attack on the Congress-JMM government over the alleged paper leak in Jharkhand, accusing it of failing students while questioning what she described as the unequal attention given to the issue compared with the protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. She made the remarks during an interview with India Today.
Rejecting suggestions that the NEET protests reflected a widening disconnect between Generation Z and the Narendra Modi government, Irani argued that the Centre had responded through legislation, institutional reforms and direct communication by the Prime Minister. ‘Tyranny of Distance’ Irani said the protests in Jharkhand had not received the same level of public and media attention as demonstrations in the national capital. “It is the tyranny of distance." She also alleged there was a disparity in the coverage of the two issues. “There is a gap in reportage between what happened at Jantar Mantar and what is happening in Jharkhand." Attacks Opposition Targeting opposition parties, Irani said they had criticised the government but failed to offer any meaningful reforms for the examination system.
“Nobody in the opposition has anything constructive to add on how to strengthen structures." She also defended the Modi government’s education reforms, contrasting them with the previous UPA administration. “The Congress-led UPA led a decade ago without a new education policy." Irani said the Education Policy was framed after one of the most extensive consultation exercises in independent India and pointed to the anti-paper leak legislation and the newly constituted task force as evidence of the Centre’s response to examination-related challenges. Irani’s remarks come amid political controversy over the alleged paper leak in Jharkhand and the ongoing debate over examination reforms following the NEET protests. The BJP has accused the Congress-JMM government of failing to protect students’ interests, while the Centre maintains that it has responded through legislative and institutional measures, including the anti-paper leak law passed by Parliament.
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