AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday criticised the Centre over the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged exam paper leaks, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and not Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan alone, should be held accountable.
In a post on X, Owaisi said, “Not Dharmendra Pradhan but the so-called non-biological Pradhan Sevak must answer the youth,” in an apparent reference to Prime Minister Modi.
His remarks come amid nationwide protests by students and opposition parties over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including NEET.
‘You Are Humiliating the Youth’: Owaisi
Speaking to ANI, Owaisi accused the government of failing to engage with students and refusing to accept responsibility for the crisis.
“You call young children and make them sit at home for two hours. You don’t talk to them, you humiliate them. You should learn to talk to them. Everything is happening because of you, the government,” Owaisi said.
He also criticised the Centre for blaming the Opposition instead of admitting its own mistakes.
“Why are you blaming the opposition for what is happening? You should admit to whatever mistakes you have made. You’re not even admitting it. You think we have a brute majority and you will suppress us all. You won’t be able to. You’re underestimating this,” he added.
Opposition Renews Demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation
The remarks came as Opposition MPs staged another protest near Makar Dwar in the Parliament complex, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged paper leak controversy.
Senior leaders, including Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, participated in the protest.
NDA MPs also held a counter-demonstration at the same location, leading to a face-off between the two sides inside the Parliament premises.
Congress Questions PM’s Fast-Track Court Announcement
The Opposition’s criticism continued even after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government would establish fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials and strict punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks.
Congress MP Rajeev Shukla questioned the effectiveness of the move.
“A fast-track court won’t achieve anything. First, deliver punishment to the higher-ups responsible as demanded. That will be a secondary process, as they will have bail,” Shukla said.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi said the government had directed the concerned authorities to set up fast-track courts to deal with paper leak cases.
“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth. We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
The issue of alleged exam paper leaks continues to dominate political debate, with students protesting in several parts of the country and the Opposition pressing the government for greater accountability.
