New Delhi, July 24: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday once again trained his guns at the government by reiterating his demand for the removal of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing him of being responsible for the alleged NEET paper leak and the ongoing crisis in the education system.
He also slammed the government for using pellet guns during the July 20 Parliament march of student protestors as he also presented a protestor, whom he claimed had suffered pellet gun injuries during the recent protest at Jantar Mantar.
Speaking to the media and demanding the resignation of Pradhan, Rahul Gandhi, who is a Lok Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli said, “Dharmendra Pradhan is a criminal education minister. He has to be removed. He is a symbol of the collapse of our education system. He has to go. He is the reason why thousands of people are outside. He has to go.”
Hitting out at the government, he alleged that students and their families had suffered because of repeated examination irregularities and listed three demands on behalf of the protesters.
The former Congress chief said that these students’ parents gave them opportunities through their hard-earned money.
“The government must stop lying. It has attacked the future of this country, and the youth are making just three demands. First, the Education Minister, whom they hold responsible for the situation, the paper leaks, and the circumstances that forced them to stage a peaceful protest, should be sacked. Second, action must be taken against those who fired pellet guns and carried out the lathi-charge against these young people. Third, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who heads the system, should apologise to the thousands of youths who have suffered because of this,” he said.
While presenting a Delhi University student, who was git by pellet gun, Rahul Gandhi said, “Many of them have sustained serious physical injuries. I cannot even say with certainty whether this young person’s eyesight can be saved. None of this is their fault. These are the three demands. Stop attacking our students, stop intimidating them, and fulfil these demands.”
The Gandhi scion alleged that the government had “falsely” denied the use of pellet guns against protesters.
“I want to explain that my brother standing here was injured by a pellet gun while he was peacefully protesting, holding the Tricolour. The government has said that no pellet gun was used. His eye has suffered damage, and he has lost his vision. Thousands of such youth were lathi-charged, and pellet guns were used against them. He gave an exam for police recruitment, but the paper was leaked.”
His remarks came after the Centre held talks with representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been leading protests over the alleged paper leak, and assured them that their demands would be considered.
The government also recently announced the setting up of fast-track courts to deal with paper leak cases.
The talks between the Centre and Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) will be held again on Saturday to convey its decision on their demands.
Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi hit back at the University of Delhi over its advisory asking students to stay away from demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, accusing it of threatening students for exercising their democratic rights.
Sharing the University of Delhi’s post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, “How dare you threaten students for exercising their democratic rights? Please note, you are the ones that will be held accountable when the time comes.”
The University of Delhi, in its advisory, urged students and faculty to stay away from “unlawful assemblies or demonstrations” at Jantar Mantar, saying such activities may invite legal action and could pose risks to students’ safety and academic and professional careers.
“Dear students and faculty, your safety matters to us. Please note that any unlawful assemblies or demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, which are strictly regulated as per the directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, may invite legal action,” the university said.
The university also advised students to exercise caution, alleging that “a significant amount of fake and misleading content is being created and circulated to fuel the situation.”
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks came amid continuing protests over the NEET-UG 2026 examination and demands for the resignation of Pradhan.
He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day over his video statement promising stricter action against those involved in paper leaks. He demanded Pradhan’s removal, punishment for those who allegedly beat protesting students and an apology.
“Mr Modi, our students are demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Don’t insult their intelligence with this pathetic midnight video,” Rahul Gandhi said.
He added, “1. Sack Pradhan. 2. Punish those who beat students. 3. Apologise.”
The Opposition has been demanding a detailed discussion on the NEET issue in Parliament and has continued to target the government over alleged irregularities in the examination.
