NEET-UG paper leak: BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of opportunism as crackdown continues

The BJP has accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of political opportunism over the NEET-UG paper leak row, citing a multi-state crackdown on the alleged network. Gandhi criticised Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam integrity and CBSE evaluation concerns, and raised objections to the CBSE three-language policy in schools.

The BJP on Sunday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of using the NEET-UG paper leak row for political gain. The party said a multi-state crackdown showed the Modi government acted against the alleged leak network. The BJP also compared this response with the UPA tenure. The party alleged past scandals were ignored then.

The BJP’s remarks followed Gandhi’s criticism of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Gandhi said Pradhan failed students across age groups amid the NEET-UG leak case. Gandhi also raised concerns about CBSE evaluation issues. Gandhi further sought an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi said the future of lakhs of children was harmed.

NEET-UG paper leak case and BJP response

Hitting back, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, "Once again, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party have chosen petty politics over the future of 22 lakh hardworking students. Instead of offering constructive solutions, the opposition is indulging in blatant political opportunism to fuel their narrative.\"

Bhatia added, \"Before lecturing others on accountability, the Congress party needs to look into the mirror and answer for the rampant paper leaks, institutional collapses, and examination scams that defined their own governance,\" in a post on X. Bhatia also said, \"The Congress blueprint: exploiting students for political gain,\" while responding to Gandhi.

Bhatia said the government moved quickly in the NEET paper leak case. Bhatia said law enforcement agencies arrested alleged masterminds in the matter. Bhatia linked the action to the wider multi-state crackdown. The BJP said this showed the government did not protect criminals.

NEET-UG paper leak case, arrests, and multi-state crackdown

Bhatia said, \"Unlike previous administrations that swept scandals under the rug, the Modi government believes in swift, uncompromising justice. The multi-state crackdown on the paper leak network proves that this administration does not shield criminals,\" while defending the government’s handling of the case.

Bhatia also said, \"This is not a cover-up. This is not silence. This is decisive, institutional action,\" as the BJP rejected Gandhi’s criticism. The BJP linked the steps taken to institutional work by agencies. The party said it reflected action rather than political messaging.

CBSE concerns and three-language policy raised in NEET-UG row

Apart from the NEET-UG leak and CBSE evaluation concerns, Gandhi also targeted Pradhan over the rollout. Gandhi criticised the CBSE’s three-language policy in schools. The BJP response did not address the policy details directly. Instead, the party focused on the exam leak case and enforcement action.

Bhatia said, \"The Modi government stands firmly with the honest, hardworking students of India. We will protect their merit, secure their future, and relentlessly hunt down the paper leak mafia leaving the political opportunists to play their petty games,\" as the BJP defended its approach.

With inputs from PTI