NEET Debate Ready, Says Centre; Congress Replies: “Paper Abhi Baaki Hai!”

New Delhi: The Centre has indicated that it is prepared to hold a discussion in Parliament on the NEET paper leak controversy, even as the Congress continued to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, government sources told The Indian Express. The latest development comes amid heightened political tensions and protests following the detention of Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, during demonstrations in the national capital. The protests have also spread to several states, with opposition leaders and youth groups raising concerns over the NEET examination controversy and demanding greater accountability. According to reports, Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh were also scheduled to meet a delegation representing the protesting group at noon on Wednesday as efforts continued to address the situation. Protests Spread Across Several States Protests were reported in Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Jharkhand and other parts of the country. On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi reached the Prime Minister’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, along with Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, two chief ministers and other party leaders. The leaders were protesting against the Delhi Police action during a march held by the group on Monday. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also joined the demonstration. Opposition leaders were later removed from the protest site and detained by the police. Gandhi and several other leaders were released after a few hours, while some MPs and other leaders were taken to Kingsway Camp police station before being released. The opposition has criticised the police action, calling it excessive, while authorities have maintained that the measures were taken to manage the protest and maintain public order. Government Rules Out Resignation Demand According to senior government functionaries cited by The Indian Express, the Centre views the demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as political and has no intention of conceding to it. Government sources said the Centre is willing to discuss the NEET controversy in Parliament and has acknowledged lapses associated with the examination process. They also claimed that corrective measures have been taken and that admissions under NEET, CUET and JEE Main are largely progressing as scheduled. The government’s position is that acknowledging shortcomings does not necessarily mean accepting the opposition’s demand for the minister’s resignation. The Congress, however, has maintained that the issue requires political accountability at the highest level and has continued to press for Pradhan’s removal. Ministers Meet Sonam Wangchuk Meanwhile, Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met fasting activist Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital on Tuesday evening, according to government sources cited by The Indian Express. The meeting reportedly took place shortly after Jitendra Singh met Rahul Gandhi, who was protesting outside the Prime Minister’s residence. The discussions come amid a broader period of political mobilisation, with opposition parties and protest groups continuing to push the government to address their respective demands. CJP Warns of Intensified Protests The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has also warned that protests could intensify if the government fails to respond to the demands raised by demonstrators. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, speaking to ANI on Wednesday, reportedly said that the group would mobilise a larger number of people in Delhi if its demands were not addressed. He said the protesters would continue their campaign rather than remain silent. The warning comes as political pressure mounts on the government over the NEET controversy and the handling of protests in the capital. SP Workers Protest Akhilesh Yadav’s Detention Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party workers staged protests on Tuesday evening against the alleged police action during demonstrations in New Delhi and the detention of party chief Akhilesh Yadav. SP MLA Mata Prasad Pandey accused the BJP-led government of undermining democratic rights and argued that political parties should be allowed to hold peaceful demonstrations. Speaking to ANI, Pandey said protests and sit-ins are part of the democratic process and alleged that excessive government intervention was being used to restrict such activities. The BJP and the government have not accepted the opposition’s characterisation of the police action. NEET Controversy Remains a Political Flashpoint The latest developments highlight the growing political confrontation over the NEET examination controversy. While the Centre has signalled that it is willing to discuss the matter in Parliament and has defended its handling of the issue, the Congress and other opposition parties are demanding stronger accountability. With protests continuing in different parts of the country, the issue is likely to remain a major point of contention between the government and the opposition in the days ahead.