Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi over paper leaks, says ‘you harmed youth’s future the most’

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the ongoing youth-led protests, accusing the government of failing students and alleging that the Prime Minister had caused the greatest damage to the future of India’s young population.

Gandhi said PM Modi was “rattled” by the protests and alleged that his government had allowed the country’s education system to be “captured and destroyed” while shielding those responsible for irregularities and paper leaks.

The Congress leader’s remarks came after Prime Minister Modi said that protecting the interests and future of the country’s youth remained the government’s highest priority, warning that those attempting to harm students’ prospects would not be spared.

“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

The Prime Minister also said he had directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary measures regarding the issue of examination paper leaks, adding that the steps were part of the government’s efforts to safeguard students’ interests.

Opposition sharpens attack over handling of student protests

The Prime Minister’s statement came amid mounting criticism from opposition parties over the government’s response to the Cockroach Janta Party-led agitation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where students have been protesting over alleged examination irregularities.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also targeted the BJP-led government, questioning its seriousness in addressing the concerns of protesting students.

Reacting to a press conference held by Union Health Minister JP Nadda on alleged paper leaks, Yadav said the decision itself reflected the government’s lack of seriousness, arguing that the issue fell under another ministry.

“The department belongs to one minister, yet the response comes from another. This fact alone demonstrates how non-serious the BJP is about resolving this issue,” Yadav said in a post on X, adding that protesting youngsters had rejected the government’s response as inadequate.

At the press conference, Nadda accused Rahul Gandhi of politicising the NEET-related irregularities and urged the opposition to support a detailed discussion in Parliament to find a “permanent solution” instead of engaging in political blame games.

AAP, Shiv Sena (UBT) demand accountability

Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia also stepped up criticism of the government, questioning whether the announcement of fast-track courts would only target lower-level offenders while senior officials remained untouched.

Sisodia alleged that despite widespread concerns over examination scams and paper leaks, the government was avoiding accountability at the top level and protecting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

He claimed that the scale of the controversy had pushed an entire generation of students onto the streets demanding accountability, including the resignation of the Education Minister.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi reiterated the opposition’s demand for Pradhan’s resignation, saying ministerial accountability was the first step towards restoring confidence in the examination system.

“A Minister stepping down for failing the nation and his own cabinet responsibility is how accountability works,” she said in a post on X, stressing the need to involve experts and overhaul India’s examination framework.

With student protests continuing and opposition parties intensifying their attacks, the issue of examination transparency and accountability has emerged as a major political flashpoint between the government and opposition.