Rahul Gandhi (Congress) demanded the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during an emergency press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The demand follows violent clashes between Delhi Police and student demonstrators at Jantar Mantar. The unrest centers on an alleged paper leak during the NEET-UG 2026 examinations [1], sparking a broader crisis of accountability in the national testing system.
Student protests, led by the satirical group CJP, have continued for over one month [2]. The demonstrators seek a transparent investigation into the leak and the resignation of the minister overseeing the portfolio. The situation escalated as police engaged with protesters, leading to reports of injuries and arrests.
Gandhi addressed the violence and the failure of the education ministry during his briefing. "Anyone who has raised a finger at our students, attacked them, shot at them has to be held accountable," Gandhi said.
Pradhan expressed his own concerns regarding the political climate surrounding the protests. "I am deeply distressed by what I described as attempts by people in 'responsible positions' to mislead students and create obstacles for political gain," Pradhan said.
The protests have also drawn the involvement of activist Sonam Wangchuk. While addressing the scrutiny surrounding the movement, Wangchuk questioned the requirements placed upon those advocating for reform. "Why my commitment to the cause needed a character certificate?" Wangchuk said.
Reports regarding Pradhan's current status vary. Some sources indicate that the demand for resignation remains a political goal for the opposition, while other reports suggest Pradhan has resigned and Pralhad Joshi has been named as the new minister [3].
“"Anyone who has raised a finger at our students, attacked them, shot at them has to be held accountable."”
The escalation from a technical exam leak to a demand for ministerial resignation reflects a deepening trust deficit between India's youth and the educational administration. By aligning with student-led protests and the CJP group, the Congress party is leveraging a public health and education crisis to challenge the central government's competence in managing critical national infrastructure.
