The Andhra Pradesh Congress conducted a protest in Guntur on July 10, 2026, in response to alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Demonstrators called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing numerous claims of paper leaks associated with the examination.

Shaik Mastan Vali, the Congress Working President in Andhra Pradesh, led the rally, which included members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). Protesters marched from the Congress party office to a statue of Gandhi located at Emani Centre, carrying symbolic funeral biers. This display represented the alleged impact of examination issues on student lives.

The rally was organised at the behest of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has called for a nationwide protest to address the concerns of students. Protesters displayed a total of 22 funeral biers, claiming they symbolised students who had reportedly suffered fatalities linked to NEET-related issues. Vali addressed the situation during the gathering, criticising the BJP-led central government for its handling of the examination process.

Allegations of Repeated Paper Leaks

During the protest, Shaik Mastan Vali made significant accusations against the Union government, asserting that the NEET question papers had been leaked multiple times over the past twelve years. He argued that such incidents had directly jeopardised the futures of countless students and necessitated the re-conduct of exams, causing unnecessary stress.

Mastan Vali also drew attention to the broader implications of examination integrity, stating that numerous competitive examinations, including NEET and UGC, had experienced leaks under the current administration. He remarked that in the last decade, approximately fifty examinations had been compromised, affecting the hopes and aspirations of students and their families.

The Congress leader highlighted the distress faced by parents who invest significant resources in their children’s education. He expressed concern that repeated incidents of paper leaks left these families in a state of anxiety and helplessness. Vali accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being indifferent to the plight of affected students and families, claiming he was more concerned with public appearances than addressing the issues the students faced.

Call for Accountability and Resignation

He stated, “The people deserve answers. If there is any form of accountability towards students and families affected by these issues, then an apology should be forthcoming.” This sentiment resonated throughout the congregation, as participants echoed the call for reform in the examination system.

The protest in Guntur reflects a growing frustration among students and educational stakeholders in India, who are seeking assurances that examinations will be conducted fairly and transparently. The Congress party’s actions are part of a larger dialogue on the integrity of educational assessments in the country, as they continue to engage with public sentiment around these pressing issues.

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