Student protests over NEET paper leak spark political showdown

India's opposition parties and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have weighed in on the student protests triggered by a paper leak in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The protests, which have gained momentum across several states, demand accountability and a fair re-examination. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, arguing that the leak exposes systemic failures in exam security. The Congress leader has insisted that no parliamentary discussion on the issue should take place until Pradhan steps down. In contrast, the RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat, urged that decisions be made through consensus rather than orders, a statement seen as a subtle nudge to the government to address the crisis calmly. The BJP-led government has initiated an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and announced a fresh exam for affected candidates. However, the opposition remains skeptical, pointing to past leaks and demanding stricter laws. The NEET paper leak affects lakhs of medical aspirants, many from rural and low-income backgrounds who invested heavily in coaching. With Parliament's monsoon session approaching, the issue is set to dominate political discourse. The government faces the dual challenge of restoring trust in the examination system while managing coalition partners and public sentiment.