New Delhi — Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Modi government over its handling of student protests against NEET paper leaks. In an article for The Hindu titled ‘An education system’s collapse, young India’s trauma’, she accused the Centre of responding to student demands with “cowardice and wanton cruelty” instead of accountability. Key Points Raised by Sonia Gandhi 1. On Govt Response to Protests “Students have demanded accountability and education reform. The Modi government has responded by treating them not as inheritors of the future but as enemies of the nation,” she wrote. She cited the July 20 lathicharge and tear gas by Delhi Police and CAPF at Jantar Mantar as a “day of infamy”. 2. Pattern of Violence Gandhi alleged the government has a habit of choosing violence over dialogue. “We remember how armed forces ravaged campuses during CAA-NRC protests in 2020. The excesses against women wrestlers can never be erased,” she said. 3. 3 Core Issues in Education Budget Cuts: 50% cut in school education budget share, 33% in higher education. Nearly 1 lakh public schools shut in 12 years. Exam System Collapse: Centralisation under NTA has led to 152 paper leaks in 12 years, including 9 by NTA since 2017. NTA relies on private contractors and “mediocre” paper-setters with political links. Job & Teaching Crisis: Lack of quality jobs, appointment of “feckless” VCs and unqualified faculty based on political loyalty. 4. Privatization Concern She said families are forced to spend heavily on coaching. “Money spent on NEET coaching alone equals what the Modi govt invests in public education.” She also flagged the rise of 43,000 private schools. 5. On Dharmendra Pradhan Gandhi accused Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of “contempt for accountability” for dismissing Parliamentary panel recommendations, and said his refusal to resign has “inflamed public opinion”. She concluded: “Stop. These are our sons and daughters, our young men and women.” Post navigation Outreach and Assurances: Centre Change Approach to CJP Protest Over NEET Paper Leak Under PM Modi’s Leadership, Nation Moving Forward with Spirit of Antyodaya and ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’: CM Dhami
