Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday reiterated his support for students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak, backing what he described as their three "non-negotiable" demands and calling for the immediate removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Speaking to reporters after meeting a group of students at his residence in New Delhi, Gandhi said the Centre must address their concerns and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise to the students.

Describing students as the future of the country, Gandhi contrasted them with the current leadership, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi represented the past and that "the past can never fight the future." He maintained that the government should prioritise the interests of students and restore confidence in the examination system following allegations surrounding the NEET paper leak. Gandhi said the issue had deeply affected the aspirations of lakhs of students and deserved a strong response from the government.

Reiterating his demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's dismissal, the Congress leader called the Union education minister "corrupt, incompetent and misaligned," alleging that he had become a symbol of the destruction of students' futures. Gandhi claimed there was speculation within the government about shifting Pradhan to another ministry but asserted that such a move would not satisfy the protesting students. According to him, only the minister's removal would address one of the protesters' principal demands.

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Gandhi also said he assured the students that they should continue their protest without fear, despite any pressure from the authorities. Referring to the ongoing demonstration at Jantar Mantar, he said no amount of government action, including alleged intimidation or internet shutdowns, would force the students to leave the protest site. He expressed confidence that the movement would continue until their demands received a meaningful response.

The remarks come amid continuing protests in the national capital led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been demanding reforms in the examination system following the alleged NEET paper leak. The group has maintained that its three key demands—removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, ₹1 crore compensation for the families of alleged NEET-UG victims, and assurance that no legal action will be taken against protesters—are non-negotiable. Meanwhile, Union ministers J. P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, who met a CJP delegation on Friday, said they would communicate the government's position on the matter on Saturday.

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