We owe our students more than outrage: Pradhan slams Rahul
Mangalore Today News Network
New Delhi, Jul 22, 2026: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday accused the Opposition of "shamelessly" exploiting students for political gains and reiterated that the Centre is ready for a comprehensive discussion on the alleged NEET irregularities in Parliament.
In his first detailed public response since protests demanding his resignation intensified, Pradhan criticised the Congress-led demonstration outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, alleging that it caused inconvenience to the public and violated established security protocols.
In a post on X, Pradhan said, "LoP Shri Rahul Gandhi and INC India continue to shamelessly exploit students as political tools to manufacture disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament."
He said the government had already expressed its willingness to hold a detailed discussion on the alleged NEET examination irregularities but accused the Congress of choosing "political spectacle over democratic debate."
"Their objective was never solutions for students; it was disruption for political headlines," Pradhan said, adding that Rahul Gandhi was more interested in creating confrontation than engaging in constructive discussion.
The minister asserted that the government remains committed to addressing students’ concerns through Parliament.
"Our Government remains 100% committed to discussing NEET and addressing every genuine concern of our youth on the floor of the House," he said, adding that students "deserve certainty over chaos, solutions over slogans, and responsibility over disruption."
"We owe our students more than outrage. We owe them answers, reforms and accountability. That is exactly what our government remains committed to delivering," Pradhan added.
His remarks came a day after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several Congress leaders staged a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence, demanding accountability over the police action against protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ’Chalo Sansad’ march on July 20. The Congress leaders were detained by Delhi Police and later released.
The protest followed clashes between police and CJP supporters marching towards Parliament over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities. The demonstrations have also been driven by activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike, which began on June 28, with protesters demanding reforms in the examination system and Pradhan’s resignation.
While the Opposition has continued to seek Pradhan’s resignation, the BJP has maintained that the government’s readiness to debate the issue in Parliament reflects its commitment to resolving students’ concerns.