Senior Congress leader, retired IAS officer, and MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal expressed concern over the NEET paper leak and irregularities in CBSE examinations, stating that the future of millions of young people across the country is at stake. He assured students that the Congress Party stands shoulder to shoulder with them during this difficult time. The party has always been at the forefront of raising issues concerning Gen Z. In this matter, Congress has consistently demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and will continue its struggle until he steps down.
Dhaliwal said that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has emerged as the strongest voice for the youth, both inside and outside Parliament. He appealed to young people not to be misled by any political party or group and instead focus on their studies and prepare well for the upcoming NEET examination.
He further stated that the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Indian Youth Congress have organized more than 50 protests across the country in the past month alone against the NEET paper leak scam and irregularities in CBSE evaluation. Their protests are continuing.
MLA Dhaliwal said that during these demonstrations, party workers and student activists endured extreme heat of up to 47 degrees Celsius, faced water cannon attacks without fear, suffered brutal beatings, and even endured lathi charges. Many were also detained and arrested. He said all these sacrifices were made to raise the voices of millions of students whose dreams, according to him, have been shattered by the Modi government.
Following the NEET paper leak and the cancellation of the examination, protests were held outside Shastri Bhavan in New Delhi on May 12. Another demonstration was organized on May 13 demanding a transparent investigation and reforms in the examination system. On May 16, the “NTA Halla Bol” protest was held in New Delhi. On May 31 in Bhopal and on June 1 in Bhubaneswar, torchlight marches were organized outside the residence of Dharmendra Pradhan demanding his resignation over the paper leak issue. On June 3, the Indian Youth Congress also held protests in Nagpur and Punjab. He reiterated that Congress has always stood with the youth and will continue to do so.
