Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for restricting Telegram during a June 17, 2026 [1] speech.
The criticism highlights a growing tension between the Indian government and students over the integrity of national exams and the use of digital communication tools for protests.
Addressing the Lok Sabha in New Delhi, Gandhi focused on the fallout from the NEET-UG 2026 [2] paper-leak controversy. He argued that the government's decision to temporarily block the messaging app Telegram punished students while leaving the actual culprits untouched. Gandhi said the government's response is cruel.
He characterized the restriction of the app as a tactical error that targets the wrong demographic. "This new trick is like hanging a lock on the victim's door," Gandhi said [1].
Gandhi urged the administration to shift its focus from digital curbs to criminal investigations. He said the government must strike at the paper-leak mafia, not the students [1].
Beyond the Telegram ban, Gandhi criticized the government for restricting protests related to the exam leaks. He noted that the state had shut down internet services and metro access to stifle dissent, while the organized networks responsible for the leaks continued to operate.
He called on Prime Minister Modi to drop the theatrics and prioritize the dismantling of the syndicates that compromise the education system [1].
“"We must strike at the paper‑leak mafia, not the students,"”
This confrontation reflects a broader political struggle over the accountability of India's national testing agencies. By framing the Telegram ban as a tool for student suppression rather than a security measure, the opposition is attempting to align itself with a frustrated youth demographic facing systemic failures in the medical entrance examination process.
