Education Minister Pradhan Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Using Students as Political Tools
Dragon Media News Desk
India’s Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has accused Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of exploiting student anger for political gain.
In a post on social media platform X on Tuesday night, Pradhan alleged that the Congress was using students as political instruments to disrupt Parliament’s monsoon session.
He also accused Gandhi and other Congress leaders of inconveniencing the public and disregarding established security protocols by staging a sit-in near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence.
Pradhan said the government had already made clear that it was prepared for a comprehensive parliamentary discussion on the controversy surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, or NEET, and the concerns raised by students.
Despite this, he alleged, the Congress chose political spectacle over democratic debate.
According to Pradhan, the opposition’s objective was not to resolve students’ problems but to create disruption and attract political publicity.
“India’s students deserve better than being turned into instruments of a political campaign. They need trust, not chaos; solutions, not slogans; and responsibility, not obstruction,” Pradhan said in substance.
He reiterated that the government was fully prepared to discuss NEET, reforms to the examination system and every legitimate concern raised by young people in Parliament.
Pradhan said the government’s responsibility was not limited to acknowledging student anger. It also had a duty to provide answers, introduce reforms and ensure accountability.
He maintained that the government remained fully committed to those objectives.
Earlier, Congress lawmakers and leaders from other opposition parties had staged a protest near the prime minister’s residence under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership.
The protesters demanded the resignations of Prime Minister Modi and Education Minister Pradhan over allegations of NEET question paper leaks, police action against students and concerns about the credibility of India’s examination system.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and several other opposition leaders participated in the demonstration.
Police detained the protesters and took Rahul Gandhi and some other leaders to Chhatrasal Stadium, while Priyanka Gandhi was taken to the Mandir Marg police station. They were released several hours later.
The Congress has demanded a judicial investigation into the police action against students, an immediate parliamentary debate and the resignation of officials held responsible.
The government, however, has accused the opposition of turning the issue into a political confrontation despite its stated willingness to hold discussions.
As accusations intensify between the government and opposition, the NEET controversy, examination security, police conduct and official accountability have become major issues in India’s Parliament and national politics.
