Rahul Gandhi Backs Student Protest, Demands Removal of Union Education Minister Over NEET Paper Leak

Image Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS

Dated 25th July 2026

News By Dr. B R Abdul Wajid

Chief Political Editor

New Delhi | Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi addressed the media at 10, Janpath in New Delhi today and expressed strong support for the ongoing student protest at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET 2026 paper leak. He said he had recently met the students who were on a hunger strike and discussed the movement, the education system, and the concerns raised by students across the country.

VIDEO | Highlights of the Press Conference | Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS

Rahul Gandhi said the students have placed three non-negotiable demands and these are the demands of the students of India, not his personal demands. According to him, the first demand is the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He alleged that the minister is responsible for the present situation and said merely shifting him to another ministry would not be acceptable. Rahul Gandhi stated that the students want complete accountability and are demanding that the Education Minister be removed from office.

VIDEO | Highlights of the Press Conference | Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS

Rahul Gandhi further said that the second demand is action against those responsible for using force on the protesting students. Rahul Gandhi claimed that many students had suffered injuries during the protests, including lathi-charge and other police action. He said those who organised and carried out the action against the students should be held accountable and punished.

The Congress leader said the third demand of the students is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise to the students of the country. He alleged that the students had been insulted, injured and mistreated during the protests, and therefore deserved an apology from the Prime Minister.

VIDEO | Highlights of the Press Conference | Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS

Referring to the Prime Minister’s recent public remarks, Rahul Gandhi said the students are not asking for suggestions or discussions, but are demanding concrete action. He reiterated that their primary demand is the removal of the Union Education Minister and accountability for those responsible for the alleged failures in the education system.

Rahul Gandhi praised the students for continuing their peaceful movement despite the difficulties they have faced. He described the youth as India’s greatest strength and said he was proud of every student who is standing up for their future and for what they believe are constitutional values.

VIDEO | One of the student who was present with Rahul Gandhi during the press briefing at 10, Janpath addressed the media | Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS.

From the desk of the Editor in Chief :

Dr. B R Abdul Wajid

“As the protest at Jantar Mantar enters another day, students and youth groups have reaffirmed that they will continue their peaceful agitation until their demands are addressed. With thousands of protesters remaining at the site and security tightened across central Delhi, the movement has become one of the largest student-led demonstrations in recent years. The developments are expected to keep the issue of examination reforms, accountability and the future of India’s education system at the centre of the national debate in the coming days.”