Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday criticised the Centre over the NEET paper leak issue and the government's handling of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student protests, claiming that sustained public pressure had forced the government to respond. Speaking during a Lok Sabha debate on a Bill to amend the anti-paper leak law, Yadav congratulated the protesting students and remarked, "Sarkaar bhi jhukti hai, jhukane wala chahiye" (Even the government bows when faced with determined opposition), arguing that the demonstrations compelled the Centre to listen to their demands.

Targeting the government over changes in the Education Ministry, Yadav quipped, "You sacked Pradhan to save Pradhan Mantri (Prime Minister)," while referring to the NEET paper leak controversy. He said the student movement, which began as what he described as a "joke," had grown into a nationwide campaign that ultimately forced the government to adopt a more democratic approach. According to Yadav, the administration had previously not allowed protests but eventually permitted the demonstrations due to mounting public pressure.

The Samajwadi Party leader also questioned whether the Centre would honour the commitments it had made to students. Accusing the government of making "jumlas" rather than genuine promises, he expressed hope that the assurances given to protesters would be fulfilled. He further criticised the police action during the Delhi protests, alleging excessive force against demonstrators and comparing the crackdown to the Emergency era. Yadav claimed students were beaten with spiked rods, electric batons and pellet guns during the unrest.

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Questioning the need for another amendment to the anti-paper leak law, Yadav argued that the legislation introduced in 2024 had failed to prevent examination paper leaks. He said the government was now compelled to strengthen the law because the earlier measures had proved ineffective. The Centre introduced the amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday, proposing stricter penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to ₹50 lakh for offences related to examination paper leaks.

During his speech, Yadav also raised the issue of the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir and criticised the BJP government over demolition notices issued to buildings at Rampur's Jauhar University. He alleged that the administration had failed to prevent both donation theft and examination paper leaks, while accusing it of targeting an educational institution instead of focusing on creating new universities. The debate on the proposed amendments to the anti-paper leak law continued in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

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