Rahul Gandhi Slams NDA MPs for Garlanding Dharmendra Pradhan After NEET Row, Calls It ‘Celebration of Systemic Failure’

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a sharp attack against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday after BJP parliamentarians garlanded and welcomed former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Parliament. The incident occurred just two days after Pradhan stepped down from his post following widespread student demonstrations over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.

Rahul Gandhi Calls Event 'Celebration of Systemic Failure'

In a statement posted on social platform X, the Congress leader expressed strong indignation over the parliamentary welcome given to Pradhan. Gandhi alleged that Pradhan remains a symbol of corruption and a failing education framework that has directly impacted millions of young aspirants across India. BJP MPs Welcome Dharmendra Pradhan to Parliament After Resignation; Congress Criticises Gesture (Video).

"Dharmendra Pradhan is and will always remain a symbol of corruption and India’s ruined education system," Rahul Gandhi wrote. "That same system took the lives of 26 children and forced lakhs of youth onto the streets."

Gandhi asserted that Pradhan’s resignation was not motivated by moral accountability, but was instead forced by public and youth outrage. He described the NDA MPs' gesture of felicitating Pradhan with garlands as a "celebration of the destruction of millions of children's futures" rather than an honor.

NEET-UG Paper Leak and Mass Protests

The political fallout follows weeks of intense agitation and public outcry over irregularities, paper leaks, and systemic flaws surrounding the national medical entrance exam (NEET-UG).

Student-led demonstrations, spearheaded by groups including the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), escalated at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar and across various state capitals. Protesters demanded high-level investigations, institutional reforms, and the immediate resignation of the Education Minister. Rahul Gandhi Reacts to Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation, Says ‘Let’s Get Rid of This Regime’ (Video).

'Dharmendra Pradhan Is a Symbol of India's Ruined Education System'

Faced with mounting pressure, Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation on Saturday. In his outgoing statement, Pradhan noted that he accepted responsibility for the exam controversies from the beginning and that the issue was not one of personal prestige.

Political Friction Escalates in Parliament

The public praise and warm reception extended to Pradhan by BJP members inside Parliament on Monday reignited political tensions between the Treasury and Opposition benches.

While ruling party leaders maintain that the government has taken decisive steps—including handing the paper leak investigation over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and initiating structural exam reforms—Opposition leaders insist that the government is attempting to downplay systemic failures.

Closing his statement, Rahul Gandhi warned that the student community is closely watching the government's actions, adding that every face involved in downplaying the crisis would be remembered by the nation's youth.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 27, 2026 11:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).