‘Most Anti-Youth PM’: Rahul Leads Opposition Charge Over NEET Crackdown, But Why So Late?

The Opposition has intensified its attack on the Narendra Modi government over the alleged police crackdown on students protesting the NEET paper leak issue, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanding an apology and the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

The political confrontation escalated on Tuesday after Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several senior Opposition leaders staged a dharna outside the Prime Minister's Lok Kalyan Marg residence. The protest followed police action against students and activists who marched towards Parliament on Monday, demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities.

Rahul Gandhi accused the government of being the "most anti-youth" and alleged that students were being treated as criminals for raising concerns about their future. He demanded that Modi apologise to the protesting students and resign along with Shah, while accusing the government of avoiding accountability and refusing to allow a proper debate in Parliament. Before the protest, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited injured students at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Congress leaders alleged that excessive force was used against protesters, while Kharge and other Opposition leaders condemned the police action.

The controversy has now drawn support from a wider section of the Opposition, which has sought to frame the issue around student rights, examination integrity and the future of India's youth. Leaders have accused the government of suppressing dissent instead of addressing the concerns raised by protesters. However, the Opposition's renewed involvement has also raised questions about its timing. Critics have asked why several parties are joining the campaign now when concerns over the NEET controversy had been developing for some time. The Opposition has faced criticism that it was not sufficiently united or visible when the issue first emerged and became more vocal after the latest police action created a fresh political flashpoint.

The Opposition, however, argues that the immediate concern is the alleged use of force against students and the government's response to their demands. The government and police have rejected allegations of deliberate or excessive targeting. With the Opposition demanding accountability and a parliamentary debate, the NEET controversy has evolved into a wider political battle over student rights, examination integrity and government responsibility.