Opposition Protests In Parliament, Reiterates Demand For Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation

Opposition MPs on Thursday staged a protest at Makar Dwar inside the Parliament premises over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities. The leaders once again demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The protest was attended by Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, K.C. Venugopal, and several other Opposition MPs. They held banners demanding accountability over the issue.

NDA Holds Parallel Protest

At the same time, NDA leaders also held a protest at Makar Dwar, accusing the Opposition of politicising the NEET paper leak issue.

The government said it had already agreed to hold a discussion on examination-related irregularities in Parliament and alleged that the Opposition was continuing to disrupt the proceedings despite the offer.

Opposition Targets PM’s Statement

Opposition leaders also reacted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on setting up fast-track courts for paper leak cases.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the Prime Minister’s statement did not address the students’ main demand. She said students were asking for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and questioned why no action had been taken if the government truly cared about them.

She also criticised the police action against protesters and said public trust could only be restored through concrete action.

Leaders Demand Action

Congress MP K.C. Venugopal said the government’s statements would not restore public confidence unless action was taken. He said the Education Minister should be removed before the government holds talks with students.

Congress MP Hibi Eden claimed that several paper leak cases had taken place over the years and alleged that no proper inquiry had been conducted. He also demanded the Education Minister’s removal.

Congress MP Selja Kumari said announcements alone were not enough and that people were expecting action. She added that there had been no resignation, no expression of regret over the police action against protesters, and no response to the concerns raised by the Opposition.