Sonia Gandhi Criticises Centre's Response to Student Protests Over NEET Paper Leak

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has strongly criticised the Central government over its handling of the ongoing student protests linked to the alleged NEET paper leak, accusing the Modi government of treating protesting students as "enemies of the nation." In an opinion article published in The Hindu, Gandhi said students were seeking accountability and reforms in the education system but had instead faced what she described as an excessive and harsh response from the authorities.

In the article, Gandhi alleged that the government had responded to the students' demands with force rather than dialogue. Referring to the events of July 20, she described the day as "a day of infamy" and claimed that Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) used lathi charges and tear gas to disperse protesters. She argued that students should be viewed as the country's future rather than as adversaries.

Drawing comparisons with previous incidents, Gandhi said the police action against the current protesters reflected a pattern she associated with earlier demonstrations. She cited the police response during the anti-CAA-NRC protests in 2020 and the protests by India's women wrestlers, stating that those incidents remained significant examples of what she described as excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrators.

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The Congress leader further alleged that the quality of India's education system has deteriorated under the present government and said repeated examination paper leaks had eroded the confidence of students and their families. According to her, the ongoing protests are driven by demands for accountability, transparency, and reforms in the examination system rather than political motives. She urged the government to address the concerns raised by students through constructive engagement.

The remarks come amid continuing demonstrations in Delhi and other parts of the country over the alleged NEET paper leak. The protests have prompted demands from opposition parties for a detailed discussion in Parliament and stronger measures to prevent examination irregularities. The government has maintained that it is committed to ensuring accountability and has announced stricter action against those responsible for examination-related malpractice while defending the actions taken to maintain law and order.

Sonia Gandhi concluded her article by urging the government to change its approach towards the student movement, stating that young people raising concerns about education should be heard rather than confronted. Her comments add to the ongoing political debate surrounding the protests, with both the government and the opposition presenting contrasting views on the handling of the demonstrations and the broader issues affecting India's education system.

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