Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a Member of Parliament from the Congress party, has expressed concerns regarding the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) recent decision to honour Dharmendra Pradhan, the former Union Education Minister, following his resignation. This event took place in Parliament on July 28, 2026, amidst allegations of irregularities in examinations, particularly related to the NEET paper leak. Gandhi questioned how the ruling party could celebrate a minister amid such controversy.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Priyanka Gandhi condemned the actions of the BJP and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Members of Parliament (MPs) who welcomed Pradhan with slogans of support. She questioned the appropriateness of honouring a minister who had resigned in light of serious accusations regarding the integrity of examinations. She remarked, “Don’t you think this is shameful?” implying that the celebration contradicted the gravity of the circumstances surrounding Pradhan’s resignation.

Pradhan had stepped down from his position on July 22, 2026, following widespread demonstrations from students who called for accountability and reform in the examination process. The former minister’s resignation coincided with the introduction of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, addressing the ongoing issues in the examination system.

Concerns Over Student Harassment

Priyanka Gandhi further articulated her worries regarding the government’s treatment of students, particularly those engaged in protests about examination irregularities. She claimed that the government was allegedly pursuing a campaign of harassment against these students. The Congress MP highlighted that instances of intimidation were reportedly occurring, referencing social media trends that involved the posting of photos of female students, allegedly accompanied by misleading claims.

She asserted that genuine action to address the situation ought to involve dialogue and resolution efforts rather than intimidation tactics. “One cannot trust this government,” Gandhi stated, reiterating her concerns for the well-being and rights of protesting students. This sentiment reflects a broader criticism of the government’s handling of educational issues and the protests surrounding them.

Her remarks followed a dramatic scene in Parliament where the BJP and NDA MPs welcomed Dharmendra Pradhan with loud chants of “Dharmendra Pradhan zindabad.” This celebration raised questions about the ethical implications of honouring a minister whose resignation was closely tied to significant public unrest and allegations pertaining to unfair practices in examinations.

Parliamentary Proceedings and Future Discussions

In the midst of these developments, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla emphasised the need for improved functioning of the House and called for a collaborative atmosphere to initiate discussions on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, scheduled for 2 pm. This bill aims to strengthen the legal framework against practices such as paper leaks and organised malpractice in public examinations.

The Opposition, including the Congress party, has signified a readiness to engage in this legislative debate. They have also continued to demand that the government address allegations concerning excessive police action against students during their protests. In anticipation of the discussion, it is reported that the Congress party is set to field senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Gaurav Gogoi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, to voice their concerns during the proceedings.

The upcoming parliamentary discussions promise to be significant, with the focus on both the bill and the broader implications of the government’s recent actions related to the examination system and student protests. This situation illustrates the tension between the ruling party and the Opposition amid ongoing educational controversies in India.

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