On July 22, 2026, Congress MP and Tamil Nadu Party Committee President Manickam Tagore referred to the ongoing NEET-UG examination controversy as a significant issue, alleging that the “blood of India’s brightest” students is due to this scam. He called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while citing the tragic circumstances surrounding student suicides allegedly linked to this examination. Tagore highlighted that there have been 152 reported paper leaks since 2014, which culminated in shocking statistics regarding student suicides connected to the NEET examinations.

Specifically, Tagore mentioned that 93 students have reportedly taken their lives since 2021, with at least 13 of those cases occurring in just 46 days following a paper leak that prompted a retest. He suggested that Pradhan’s response to the unfolding crisis, which included a Sanskrit quote celebrating the teacher-student relationship, was wholly inappropriate and demanded immediate accountability.

Tagore’s statements were made in reaction to a tweet from Pradhan, who had commented on a Congress protest held outside the Prime Minister’s residence. The Congress leader expressed frustration over the perceived indifference of the Minister concerning the plight of students impacted by the NEET-UG issues.

Union Minister Responds to Congress Protests

In response to the protests, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Congress party of exploiting students for political gain. He claimed that the demonstration outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence constituted a shameless attempt to disrupt Parliament’s Monsoon Session. Pradhan highlighted his belief that the Congress’s motivation was to generate political headlines rather than address substantive concerns affecting students.

Pradhan emphasised the government’s commitment to providing answers, reforms, and accountability regarding the NEET examination system. He stated that the government was amenable to discussing student concerns within the Parliamentary framework and insisted that their objective should be constructive dialogue rather than disruption.

Moreover, Pradhan articulated the need for better treatment of students, asserting they deserve solutions rather than political tools being used in confrontations. He maintained that the government was focused on delivering a meaningful discourse aimed at reforming the education system in India.

Protests Erupt in Various Locations

Meanwhile, the Congress party staged protests in Maharashtra, condemning what they alleged was a police lathi-charge on students in New Delhi and the detention of their party leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Video footage and reports from the protests suggest a significant police presence as Congress leaders attempted to voice their discontent regarding the handling of student grievances related to NEET.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, along with other party leaders, were detained during a demonstration at Lok Kalyan Marg but were later released. Reports indicate that Rahul Gandhi, along with leaders of the Samajwadi Party and various opposition factions, participated in the protests emphasising accountability from the government.

The situation escalated following a protest by the Cockroach Janata Party, known as ‘Sansad Chalo’, on the previous day, which also encountered police action. The Congress leaders’ calls for action reflect broader dissatisfaction with the central government’s handling of educational reforms and the perceived lack of concern for students’ well-being.

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