New Delhi, July 24: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a formal statement in Parliament on the ongoing paper leak controversy, asserting that issues affecting millions of students deserve discussion inside the House rather than through public broadcasts or video messages.
His remarks came a day after the Prime Minister announced that the Centre would introduce a new Bill during the Monsoon Session to impose stricter punishment for paper leaks and examination-related fraud. The proposed legislation is expected to be placed before Parliament next week after receiving approval from the Union Cabinet.
Addressing reporters and later posting his views on social media, Kharge said Parliament is the appropriate platform for the Prime Minister to explain the government’s response to the examination scandal, which has sparked protests and widespread concern across the country.
The Congress leader also demanded the dismissal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him politically responsible for the alleged lapses that led to the paper leak controversy. He further called on the government to apologise to students and their families, alleging that protesters were met with excessive force during demonstrations.
Kharge said the Opposition is prepared for a comprehensive debate on the education system once the government accepts responsibility and addresses the concerns raised by students.
The comments intensified the political confrontation over the NEET paper leak issue, which has remained one of the most contentious subjects during the Monsoon Session. Opposition parties have repeatedly sought a detailed discussion in Parliament, accusing the government of failing to protect the integrity of competitive examinations.
On Thursday evening, Prime Minister Modi said the Union Cabinet would deliberate on the proposed anti-paper leak legislation before its introduction in Parliament. He described the measure as a significant step towards safeguarding the credibility of recruitment and entrance examinations.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that examination leaks have caused deep anxiety among students and parents, emphasising that the government recognises the seriousness of the issue.
According to Modi, investigative agencies have already identified and arrested several individuals allegedly involved in the paper leak network. He maintained that the administration acted swiftly to prevent students from losing an academic year by conducting a fresh examination for nearly 22 lakh candidates.
The government has maintained that its priority was to ensure fairness in the examination process while bringing those responsible for the alleged irregularities to justice.
Soon after the Prime Minister’s announcement, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised the government’s response, arguing that the video message failed to address the Opposition’s demand for the resignation of the Education Minister.
Rahul alleged that the Centre was attempting to divert attention from accountability by focusing solely on future legislative measures. He said students expected direct answers regarding the administrative failures that allowed the controversy to unfold.
The paper leak issue has triggered repeated disruptions in Parliament, with Opposition members demanding immediate discussions, greater transparency in investigations and stronger safeguards to prevent similar incidents in future examinations.
Political observers believe the proposed legislation is likely to become one of the key issues during the remaining days of the Monsoon Session, with both the government and the Opposition expected to engage in a heated debate over examination reforms, institutional accountability and measures to restore public confidence in the country’s recruitment and entrance test system.
The Centre is expected to table the Bill at the beginning of the coming week, after which Parliament will consider its provisions aimed at strengthening legal action against those involved in paper leaks and examination malpractice.