Youth Congress Demands Dharmendra Pradhan Resignation Over NEET Scam

The Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (KPYCC) organized a major torchlight rally in Bengaluru to demand the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Demonstrators held the minister directly responsible for alleged student fatalities tied to the recent NEET question paper leak.

Led by KPYCC State President HS Manjunath, hundreds of students and youth gathered at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Saturday. Carrying torches, they raised slogans condemning corruption in the education system and the Central Government’s neglect of students.

Protesters shouted slogans such as “Save the Future of Students,” “Implement a Transparent Education System,” “Conduct a Fair Investigation into the NEET Scam,” and “Provide Treatment to the Education System.”

Addressing the gathering, KPYCC State President HS Manjunath said, “It is the responsibility of the Central Government to establish a transparent, corruption-free, and credible examination system. However, the BJP-led Central Government has failed in that responsibility and has jeopardised the future of 2.3 million students.”

He further alleged that the administration is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of students due to the NEET scam.

He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending birthday wishes to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and praising his work in the education sector despite the NEET controversy.

“The Prime Minister praised the work of a minister who is responsible for the deaths of students due to the question paper leak,” Manjunath stated. “He did not even express condolences to the families of the deceased students. Don’t those who praise such a person, who has shown neither remorse nor repentance, feel any shame?” he questioned.

“No political gain is greater than the future of students,” Manjunath added. “The BJP leaders have forgotten this and have not even expressed their condolences over the students who died by suicide.”

“On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi, who understands the importance of education, students, and youth, has launched a non-political campaign to safeguard the future of students and ensure justice for the families of the deceased aspirants,” he stated. “Accordingly, the Youth Congress will continue to stand with students until this movement reaches its logical conclusion,” he assured.

Present on the occasion were Youth Congress National Secretary Tariq Bhagwan, State President of the Legal Cell Sridhar, Bengaluru North District President Rahul Gowda, Bengaluru South District President Monish Reddy, Bengaluru East District President Ram Nayak, along with others.

The torchlight rally marked the first weekend of the ‘Chatron Ki Goonj’ anti-NEET campaign. Every weekend, the campaign will feature interactive sessions, anti-NEET music concerts, motivational speeches, walkathons, and various other programmes.

In addition, campaign volunteers are visiting every classroom in colleges and universities to register students. The organization has set a target of enrolling 1.5 lakh students into the movement.

Future Outlook

The ‘Chatron Ki Goonj’ campaign signals a sustained, long-term opposition effort by the Youth Congress to pressure the Central Government over educational reforms. With weekly events planned across major institutions and a goal to register over 150,000 student participants, the movement aims to transform the examination controversy into a nationwide student advocacy push ahead of upcoming academic sessions.

FAQs

Why is the Youth Congress demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation?

The Youth Congress is demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister because they hold him accountable for the massive NEET question paper leak, which they claim has corrupted the examination system and led to tragic student suicides.

What is the ‘Chatron Ki Goonj’ campaign?

‘Chatron Ki Goonj’ is an anti-NEET campaign organized by the Youth Congress. It features weekly protest programs, including interactive sessions, music concerts, motivational speeches, and walkathons, aimed at registering students to fight for structural educational reforms.

How many students are affected by the NEET scam according to protesters?

According to statements from the Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Committee, the futures of 2.3 million students have been jeopardized by the examination irregularities and subsequent leaks.

Where did the Bengaluru torchlight rally take place?

The torchlight rally was held at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, drawing hundreds of youth, students, and local political leaders on June 27, 2026.