Rahul Gandhi Urges All Parties to Respect Youth’s Expression Amid NEET Protests During Lok Sabha Debate

New Delhi: In a significant address during the Lok Sabha debate on the anti-paper leak bill, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, commended the recent student protests, characterizing them as a peaceful manifestation of youth sentiment. Gandhi emphasized that these demonstrations should not be viewed as acts of violence or hatred but rather as a profound expression of the aspirations and concerns of the younger generation. He urged all political factions, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to acknowledge and respect this expression of youth.

Earlier this month, a large-scale protest took place at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, primarily focused on the NEET UG paper leak issue. Gandhi expressed his excitement and reassurance regarding the actions of the youth, stating, “This was not anger, not violence, not hatred. This was a deep expression of the youth of this country, of the future generation of this country, and I feel that all political parties must respect this expression, including my friends in the BJP.”

Concerns Over Examination Irregularities

Gandhi criticized the BJP-led government for alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, asserting that privatization has transformed the examination system into an “extortion system.” He articulated concerns about the rampant privatization affecting the integrity of exams, stating, “Everything has been privatized. Paper leaks… in one exam something happens, in another exam something else happens. Some people are allowed re-exam, some people are not allowed re-exam. Rampant privatization means private companies are checking exams… wrong papers are going. It’s a brutal, terrible system. It’s an extortion system. The system has been captured… the soul of the system has been captured by the RSS.”

Allegations Against the Home Minister

During his address, Gandhi accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of authorizing the use of force against students during the protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar. He questioned Shah’s absence from the Lok Sabha, suggesting that the Home Minister was afraid to face the assembly. Gandhi stated, “The Home Minister is not here today because he is scared. The Home Minister authorized the shooting of our students. He put pellets into the blood of our students. He ordered the students of India to be shot.”

In response to these allegations, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju intervened, labeling Gandhi’s claims as “very serious” and demanding an apology from the Congress leader.

Call for Accountability

Last week, Gandhi reached out to Shah, seeking accountability for the police’s actions during the protests on July 20. He described the police response as a “barbaric assault” on peaceful demonstrators advocating for a fair education system. In his letter, he alleged that security forces employed indiscriminate force, including the use of tear gas and pellet guns, resulting in numerous injuries among protesters. He highlighted the case of 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who is reportedly facing the possibility of losing an eye due to pellet injuries.

Gandhi remarked, “Most shocking has been the use of lethal pellet guns. Reports in the media and social media clearly show people who have suffered grave injuries, including a journalist. I met 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab, who is now in severe pain and is likely to lose an eye because he was shot with pellet guns.”

Protest Dynamics and Aftermath

The protest at Jantar Mantar escalated into violence following the CJP’s ‘Sandas Chalo’ call on July 20. Protesters accused security forces of employing excessive force, a claim that the police have denied. The unrest culminated in the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Education Minister.

As reported by www.timesnownews.com, the ongoing debate surrounding the protests and the government’s response continues to evoke strong reactions from various political entities and the public alike.

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Published on 2026-07-29 12:45:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk