NEET Row: Revanth Reddy Seeks Pradhan's Dismissal, Targets Modi Government

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday intensified the Congress' attack on the NDA government, demanding the immediate dismissal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET examination irregularities. He said that if the Union minister was not removed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take responsibility and step down.

Addressing a protest in Kodangal of Vikarabad district, his Assembly constituency, Revanth Reddy accused the Centre of failing to safeguard the interests of students and mishandling one of the country's most important entrance examinations. He also criticised the detention of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi during a protest near the Prime Minister's residence, calling it an attempt to suppress democratic dissent.

The Chief Minister said Congress workers had resolved to intensify their campaign against the BJP and would continue their fight "from the streets to Parliament." He described the political contest as an ideological battle between the followers of Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse, alleging that the BJP had betrayed the aspirations of India's youth. He asserted that the Congress, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Mallikarjun Kharge, would continue mobilising students and young people against the Centre.

Referring to the student march held in New Delhi on July 20, Revanth Reddy alleged that security personnel used excessive force against protesters, claiming several students were assaulted and others went missing after the demonstration. He further alleged that Rahul Gandhi sustained injuries while being detained during a protest outside the Prime Minister's residence on July 21, and said such actions reflected the Centre's intolerance towards dissent.

Linking the issue to the larger debate on examination reforms, the Chief Minister said repeated allegations of paper leaks and irregularities had shaken public confidence in national-level competitive examinations. He argued that millions of students invest years of preparation for exams like NEET, making transparency and accountability essential for preserving the credibility of the education system.

Revanth Reddy also targeted the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), accusing BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) of being associated with irregularities in the 2019 Telangana Intermediate examination evaluation process. He alleged that a company involved in that controversy later secured CBSE evaluation contracts after changing its identity and obtaining support from BJP leaders and the Union Education Ministry.

He further claimed that irregularities forced the CBSE to cancel and repeat parts of the evaluation process, causing hardship to students. According to the Chief Minister, the Centre's failure to act against those allegedly responsible encouraged further malpractice in national examinations. He also alleged that NEET question papers were sold in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, both governed by the BJP.

The BJP and Union Education Ministry, however, have rejected the Opposition's allegations and maintained that the government is committed to ensuring the integrity of national examinations while strengthening safeguards against malpractice.