Bengaluru: The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on Saturday demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging that repeated question paper leaks and examination irregularities had undermined students’ confidence and the credibility of the country’s education system.
The demand was raised during an interaction with students organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (KPYCC) under its ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj (Voice of Students)’ campaign at the Bharat Jodo Hall in Bengaluru. The campaign also sought to spread awareness that suicide is not a solution for students affected by examination-related stress.
Addressing the gathering, KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad said the Congress would continue its agitation until Pradhan accepted moral responsibility and resigned from office. He alleged that the Centre’s handling of the NEET examination had disrupted the education system and said Karnataka and Tamil Nadu had earlier urged the Union government to allow states to conduct the examination.
Hariprasad said education was the foundation of a bright future and encouraged students to question authority and actively participate in strengthening democratic institutions. He asserted that a Congress government at the Centre would ensure that examinations are conducted transparently and without irregularities.
Calling question paper leaks a failure of governance, he urged students not to lose hope and to appear for re-examinations with confidence, saying their future remained in their own hands. He also said the Congress would raise the issue in both Houses of Parliament as well as in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Council until the Union Education Minister stepped down.
Rajya Sabha MP Mansoor Ali Khan alleged that 20 to 25 students had died by suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy and criticised the Union government for remaining silent despite growing public concern. He accused the Centre of failing to ensure transparency in the examination system and said it was shameful that the Education Minister had not resigned despite repeated irregularities.
