Odisha: Congress steps up attack on Union Education Minister over NEET Leak

Bhubaneswar, June 25 (IANS) Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the central government, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over various irregularities in the education sector, including the NEET question paper leak and CBSE evaluation discrepancies.

Khera was speaking at a press conference titled “Chhatron Ki Goonj”, organised by the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) here on Thursday. The event was held against the backdrop of growing student resentment across the country over alleged irregularities in various examinations, including the NEET question paper leak, CBSE evaluation discrepancies, and repeated instances of examination-related malpractice.

Addressing the gathering, Khera alleged that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was busy making reels while celebrating Yoga Day at his luxurious residence in Delhi. He questioned whether this was the job of an education minister. Khera further claimed that during the last 10 years of the government’s rule, question papers had been leaked 90 times, pushing the future of seven crore students into darkness.

He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Pariksha Pe Charcha” programme, claiming that while the Prime Minister advises students on how to take examinations, the government has failed to ensure a fair examination system. Referring to the controversies surrounding the educational qualifications of PM Modi, Khera also raised questions about the Prime Minister’s own degree.

The Congress leader alleged that “NEET-Leak-Repeat” had now become a tradition in the country. Urging the government to understand the stress students and their families face as they appear for NEET examinations, he called upon all political parties to unite in safeguarding the future of the younger generation.

Referring to protests by students in Kota and elsewhere, Khera said there was widespread student anger across the country.

He warned that failure to take timely corrective measures could result in serious consequences for the nation. He noted that similar press conferences were being held simultaneously in 28 cities across India, with the participation of senior Congress leaders.

Khera demanded that Dharmendra Pradhan resign because he was responsible and had committed a sin. He called for a complete audit of the entire system, from the printing of question papers to their delivery at examination centres.

He also said there should be fixed dates each year for annual examinations, the declaration of results, and related processes.

He said that nowhere in the world would one find the Air Force and the armed forces being used to conduct students’ examinations, and that this was a certificate of Dharmendra Pradhan’s incompetence. The poster of the “Chhatron Ki Goonj” campaign was unveiled during the press conference as well.

–IANS

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