Rahul Gandhi Alleges 152 Paper Leaks In Decade, Questions Government Action

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday intensified his criticism of the central government over student protests related to alleged examination irregularities, accusing the government of failing to protect the interests of students. Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, Gandhi said the protests were based on legitimate concerns and alleged that the country’s education system had been weakened under the current administration.

Gandhi targeted Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, describing him as “corrupt” and “incompetent” while repeating his demand for the minister’s resignation. He said Pradhan represented the larger problems facing the education system and claimed that removing him was necessary to restore confidence among students. The Congress leader alleged that the education sector, which he described as one of India’s biggest strengths, had suffered under the present government.

During the press conference, Gandhi cited figures on alleged paper leaks, claiming that 152 such incidents had occurred over the past decade with no convictions in related cases. He said the repeated leaks had affected millions of students and questioned why accountability had not been established. Gandhi’s remarks came amid ongoing student protests demanding action over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.

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The Congress leader also raised concerns about the affordability and accessibility of education, claiming that the current system was increasingly difficult for poor and middle-class students to access. He alleged that rising coaching expenses and examination-related issues had created barriers for students from less privileged backgrounds, while citing an estimate of Rs 1.32 lakh crore in annual coaching expenses for NEET aspirants.

Gandhi further supported student demands for action against police officials accused of using force during protests in Delhi. He called for accountability over the alleged treatment of demonstrators and reiterated his demand for an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the incident. He said his focus remained on student concerns rather than his own experience during recent protests.

Responding to questions about alleged rough handling by police during a demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s residence, Gandhi said he was not concerned about personal treatment and that the larger issue was the future of students. The government has defended its handling of examination-related concerns, while Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has rejected opposition criticism and said the government remains committed to addressing students’ concerns.

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