When the Budget session of Parliament began on Monday, the INDIA bloc MPs, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, sought to corner the Modi government over exam paper leaks row.
Gandhi said the issue was not just with NEET but all major exams and that millions of students are concerned. “If you are rich and if you have money, you can buy the Indian examination system. This is a systemic issue, what exactly are you doing to fix it at the systemic level?" he asked Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Following this, Pradhan, who was responding to queries during the Question Hour, dismissed their claims, arguing that there was no proof of paper leaks in the last seven years and that it was unfortunate that Gandhi described the examination system as rubbish.
Speaker Om Birla said there should be constructive discussions on developing a better examination system. He said that if questions are raised about all exams, it will have an impact on the Indian education system and the perception about it around the world. "We should look at developing a better system... it is not right to raise questions about all examinations," he said.
The CBI has lodged six FIRs in connection with the NEET irregularities while the issue is under the lens of the Supreme Court.
Though Gandhi tried to speak after the Speaker's remarks, he was not permitted. This prompted Gandhi and almost the entire Opposition MPs to stage a walk-out.
Congress Deputy Leader in the House Gaurav Gogoi demanding the resignation of Pradhan while Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav also raised questions about the paper leaks case.
