Opposition parties held a protest march in Jaipur on May 12, 2024 [2], demanding accountability for an alleged leak of the NEET-2026 examination paper.
The unrest highlights growing tensions over the integrity of India's national testing systems. Because the National Testing Agency (NTA) oversees critical entrance exams, allegations of irregularities spark widespread student anxiety and political instability.
During the demonstration, members of the Indian National Congress called for the immediate dissolution of the NTA. Protesters also demanded that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign from his post due to the irregularities [1].
"The NTA must be dissolved and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan must resign," said Tikaram Jully, the Congress Leader of Opposition [1].
Local police intervened to stop the march as the situation escalated. A police spokesperson said water cannons were deployed to disperse the crowd after the protest turned violent [2].
Following the deployment of water cannons, reports emerged of casualties among the demonstrators. An unnamed Congress worker said they were hit by high-pressure water, and that several people were injured and taken to the hospital [3]. According to one report, 12 Congress workers were injured during the clash [3].
The protest in Rajasthan is part of a broader push by opposition parties to secure a transparent investigation into the exam process. The demand for the minister's resignation underscores the political pressure on the current administration to address systemic failures in educational administration.
“"The NTA must be dissolved and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan must resign."”
The clash in Jaipur reflects a deepening crisis of confidence in the NTA's ability to conduct secure high-stakes examinations. By linking technical irregularities to a demand for ministerial resignation, the opposition is transforming a public-health and education failure into a broader political challenge regarding government accountability.
