Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has accused opposition parties of attempting to use students and young people as “political tools” amid the ongoing protests in Delhi over the alleged NEET paper leak and demands for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
In a series of posts on X, Singh described the demonstrations as “a matter of serious concern” and said the government remained committed to addressing students’ concerns while urging that issues be debated in Parliament rather than on the streets.
His remarks came as the Rajya Sabha witnessed repeated disruptions during the Monsoon Session, with the Opposition insisting that Pradhan resign before any discussion on the alleged examination irregularities.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Centre was ready for a debate without preconditions, while Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge maintained that accountability must precede any discussion.
Meanwhile, student-led protests demanding transparency, examination reforms and accountability have continued across parts of Delhi, turning the NEET controversy into one of the biggest political flashpoints of the ongoing Parliament session.
Government Defends Its Stand
The political confrontation intensified after Rajnath Singh posted on X that the ongoing protests in Delhi were “a matter of serious concern” and alleged that some political parties were attempting to exploit students and youth to advance their own interests.
“It is extremely unfortunate that some people are attempting to use the students and youth of our country as a political tool to fulfil their political interests,” he wrote. Stressing the Centre’s commitment towards students, Singh said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government remained dedicated to fulfilling the aspirations of young people and addressing their concerns.
He also expressed confidence that India’s “aware, mature and sensible youth” would not be misled by what he termed “deceptive attempts” to create a “manufactured sense of anger”. Defending the government’s approach, Singh said Parliament was the appropriate platform to discuss issues of national importance, noting that the Centre had repeatedly expressed its willingness to debate every matter during the Monsoon Session.
His remarks echoed those of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has also accused the Opposition of politicising student concerns instead of participating in parliamentary discussions. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated that the government had been prepared to debate the alleged NEET irregularities since the session began and said the timing and format of such a discussion would be decided by the Chair after consultations with all parties.
Opposition Stands Firm
The Opposition, however, has maintained that meaningful debate cannot take place until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan steps down. Congress president and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge has repeatedly asserted that the minister must accept responsibility for the alleged irregularities surrounding the NEET examination before Parliament proceeds with a discussion.
This disagreement has resulted in repeated adjournments of both Houses, significantly disrupting legislative business during the Monsoon Session. Outside Parliament, student demonstrations have continued in Delhi, with protesters demanding greater transparency in competitive examinations, stricter action against those responsible for alleged paper leaks and wider reforms in recruitment and examination systems.
The protests, which initially centred on the alleged NEET paper leak, have evolved into a broader conversation around examination integrity, youth employment and institutional accountability.
While the Centre has announced measures including fast-track courts to deal with paper leak cases and has reiterated its willingness to discuss the issue in Parliament, protest groups continue to demand structural reforms alongside political accountability.
The developments have transformed what began as an examination-related controversy into a larger political contest over governance, public trust and the future of India’s education system.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Student concerns deserve to be heard with seriousness, empathy and transparency, regardless of political differences. Equally, elected representatives have a responsibility to ensure that Parliament remains a functioning forum for debate while respecting citizens’ democratic right to peaceful protest. Whether the issue is examination integrity, youth employment or public accountability, lasting solutions are more likely to emerge through constructive dialogue than political confrontation.
Also read: ‘Some Isolated Incident?’: Delhi HC Seeks Answers on Alleged Police Brutality During CJP Protest
