Modi Assures Strict Action on NEET Paper Leak
Prime Minister says those responsible for examination paper leaks will face legal action, urges alliance lawmakers to address students' concerns.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured that those responsible for the alleged NEET paper leak would face the strictest possible punishment and urged National Democratic Alliance (NDA) lawmakers to reach out to students and reassure them that their interests would be protected.
Addressing the NDA Parliamentary Party's 'Mangal Milan' meeting, Modi emphasised that preventing examination paper leaks was a national responsibility and called for collective efforts to build a foolproof examination system, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said after the meeting.
Quoting the Prime Minister, Rijiju said the government acted swiftly after reports of the NEET paper leak surfaced, leading to arrests and prompt action against those allegedly involved. He added that the re-examination was conducted without delay to ensure students' futures were not adversely affected.
"The Prime Minister called for the strictest possible punishment for those responsible for the NEET paper leak and stressed that preventing such incidents is a national responsibility," Rijiju said.
According to people familiar with the discussions, Modi also asked NDA MPs to engage with young people and reassure them that the government remained committed to protecting their interests. He said those arrested in connection with the paper leak would face the harshest legal action while urging lawmakers to counter what he described as opposition "conspiracies" aimed at misleading students.
The Prime Minister also appealed to NDA partners to remain united in ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament and urged opposition parties to cooperate in legislative business. While political differences may exist, all MPs share a responsibility to work for the country's future and the welfare of its youth, he said.
The remarks came a day after protests over alleged examination irregularities turned violent in the national capital, where police used tear gas and lathicharge to stop demonstrators led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) from marching towards Parliament. The protesters are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak and broader reforms in the examination system.
During the meeting, Modi also highlighted the government's recent achievements, including the signing of Free Trade Agreements with several countries, and reiterated that farmers' interests would remain paramount in all such agreements, Rijiju said.
The meeting also welcomed newly elected Rajya Sabha members, with BJP president Nitin Nabin attending as a Rajya Sabha member for the first time after assuming charge of the party.
