Title: Delhi: BJP Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Damaging Trust in Examination System Following NEET-UG Paper Leak
In the aftermath of the NEET-UG paper leak in certain locations, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has directed sharp criticism towards Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that his remarks have contributed to a loss of confidence in India’s examination processes. This accusation follows the recent Supreme Court ruling dismissing petitions for the cancellation and re-test of the exam, citing insufficient evidence of a systemic breach affecting its integrity.
Ravi Shankar Prasad, a prominent BJP leader and former union minister, denounced Gandhi’s statements, characterizing them as detrimental to the reputation of India’s examinations on a global scale. He emphasized that such criticisms, including Gandhi’s description of the budget as a “kursi bachao budget” (budget to save the chair), were not conducive to maintaining the dignity of parliamentary proceedings or the stature of the Leader of Opposition, a role currently held by Gandhi.
Prasad defended the government’s response to the NEET controversy, highlighting that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had been tasked with investigating the issue, resulting in the cancellation of the candidature of 155 examinees. He underscored the extensive scale of the NEET-UG examination, involving more than 23.5 lakh students across 4,750 centers in 571 cities nationwide.
In challenging Gandhi’s assertions of fraud within the examination system, Prasad pointed to the Supreme Court’s ruling which found no evidence to support claims of widespread compromise in test sanctity. He posed a direct query to Gandhi, questioning whether an apology would follow in light of these developments, particularly given the historical prevalence of paper leaks during previous Congress-led administrations.
Prasad further highlighted the Modi government’s proactive measures against paper leaks, referencing the enactment of robust legislation aimed at preventing such incidents in the future.
The BJP’s stance underscores a broader debate on accountability and trustworthiness in India’s educational assessments, particularly in the context of high-stakes examinations like NEET-UG. As political rhetoric continues to influence public discourse on these matters, the fallout from this controversy may continue to resonate across educational and political spheres alike.
