'Won’t stop until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns': Rahul Gandhi targets Centre over NEET paper leak, action by cops against protesters

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused the Centre of failing to address concerns over the NEET paper leak controversy, demanding the resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and calling for a stronger examination system to prevent future leaks.Rahul said the Congress would continue its fight for students affected by repeated paper leak allegations across the country."We won’t stop until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns and a strong, secure system is put in place to stop paper leaks in the country. This fight is for every student whose future this failed government has stolen," Rahul Gandhi said through a post on X.Rahul alleged that students across the country had been forced to protest over repeated exam paper leaks and accused the government of failing to take responsibility for the issue.Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, “When Modi Ji was making reels of handing out sweets in Italy – the youth of India, tormented by paper leaks, were taking to the streets demanding justice.”The Congress MP further claimed that the NEET paper leak had “ruined the futures of lakhs of students” and alleged that several students had lost their lives.He also criticised the centre for not removing Dharmendra Pradhan and accused BJP-ruled states of using force against protesters demanding action over the issue.“A government that answers students’ questions with lathis doesn’t run on accountability – it runs on fear,” Rahul said, adding that the opposition would continue its campaign over examination reforms and accountability.Congress workers on Thursday marched towards the BJP state headquarters to protest alleged irregularities in the NEET UG examination.Police stopped the protesters at barricades, used water cannons to disperse the crowd and detained several demonstrators during the protest.The NEET-UG examination for admission to undergraduate medical courses, conducted on May 3, was cancelled two days later following allegations of a paper leak.The Centre subsequently ordered a comprehensive CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities surrounding the exam.