Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has strongly criticised the Central Government's response to protests linked to the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, calling for greater accountability, transparency, and dialogue with students. Her remarks were made in a published opinion article in which she expressed concern over the government's handling of the demonstrations and the broader state of the education system.
In her article, Sonia Gandhi argued that students who participated in the protests were demanding accountability and reforms in the examination process. She alleged that the government's response failed to address these concerns and instead relied on law enforcement measures. She described the events surrounding the protests as deeply concerning and urged the government to adopt a more constructive approach toward student grievances.
The Congress leader claimed that peaceful demonstrators were dispersed using force during protests in the national capital. She alleged that police personnel used batons and tear gas to control the gathering and that several protesters sustained injuries during the operation. She also alleged that some students who were leaving the protest site were affected by the police action.
Sonia Gandhi further criticised the government's overall response to the demonstrations, stating that the concerns raised by students deserved careful consideration rather than confrontation. According to her, the issue extends beyond a single examination and reflects broader questions about transparency, fairness, and confidence in the country's education system.
In her article, she appealed for a more compassionate approach toward students, saying that their voices should be heard through democratic dialogue. She argued that young people expressing concerns about examination-related issues should be viewed as stakeholders in the education system rather than as adversaries.
The Congress leader also referred to images and videos shared from the protests, stating that they had generated widespread public discussion. She maintained that the events had raised questions about how authorities handled the demonstrations and called for greater sensitivity in dealing with student movements.
The protests were organised amid continuing concerns over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Student groups and several opposition parties have sought greater transparency in the conduct of the examination and have demanded detailed discussions on the issue in Parliament. They have also called for measures to strengthen examination security and ensure accountability wherever irregularities are found.
The Central Government has maintained that it is committed to protecting the integrity of public examinations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that examination paper leaks are a serious matter and has announced that stricter legal measures will be introduced to prevent such incidents in the future. The government has also indicated that it is prepared to discuss examination-related concerns through parliamentary and administrative processes.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has previously rejected allegations circulating on social media regarding certain claims about its conduct during protests, stating that misleading and unverified content should not be shared. Authorities have maintained that law enforcement actions are carried out in accordance with established procedures to preserve public order.
The debate surrounding the NEET examination and related protests continues to remain a significant political and public issue. While opposition parties have called for accountability, institutional reforms, and detailed parliamentary discussions, the government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening examination security and addressing concerns through legislative and administrative measures. The issue is expected to remain an important topic of discussion as Parliament continues its proceedings and policymakers consider further reforms to the examination system.