Opposition’s ‘secret game’ under the guise of student agitation over NEET paper leak controversy? This big allegation of Delhi BJP and old pages of UPA increased the political stir. Will the anger of Jantar Mantar calm down or will it create a new uproar?
New Delhi: NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy is no longer limited to the examination system only, but has also become a big issue in the country’s politics. Amid student protests in Delhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made serious allegations against the opposition, saying attempts are being made to “hijack” the student movement for political gains. At the same time, the central government has rejected the opposition’s allegations, citing fast-track courts and examination reforms as proof of its commitment.
Has the student movement turned into a political arena?
Delhi BJP President and Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra and Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood claimed in a joint press conference that the movement that started over the NEET paper leak is now moving beyond the real concerns of the students and becoming a medium for political confrontation. He alleged that Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and other opposition parties are using the sentiments of the students to strengthen their political ground. BJP leaders say that even when the re-examination has been conducted and the results have been declared, there appear to be political motives behind the continuation of the movement.
That maze of ‘Fast-Track Court’: Will this big move of the government stun the opposition?
In this press conference, BJP strongly defended the recent tough steps taken by the Narendra Modi government. Harsh Malhotra said that the Central Government’s historic decision to create fast-track courts for speedy trial of paper leak cases proves that the government is ready to go to any extent to protect the interests of students. Taking a dig at the opposition’s protests, he said that when the re-examination of NEET has been successfully conducted and its results have also been declared on July 19, then what is the point in continuing this ruckus? BJP claims that these protests being led by Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal have now deviated from the core concerns of the students and their only objective is to create unrest and political conflict in the country.
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Those old files of counterattack: When BJP reminded the ‘black history’ of UPA
Instead of focusing on the students’ issue, BJP has instead put the opposition in the dock. Harsh Malhotra challenged Congress and Aam Aadmi Party and sought account of the scams that took place during their tenure. He specifically mentioned the exam irregularities that happened during the previous UPA government and the recent pharmacy exam paper leak that happened during the ‘AAP’ government in Punjab. Along with this, while presenting the report card of the government’s achievements, it was claimed that during the tenure of the Modi government (2014-15 to 2023-24), there has been a historic increase of 25% in higher education institutions and about 70% in universities, due to which Dalit and OBC students have benefited the most.
That emotional appeal of former student leaders: Is the students’ movement losing its direction?
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, himself a former president of Delhi University Students Union (DUSU), made a very emotional and strategic appeal in this controversy. He urged the protesting students not to let their sacred movement become a puppet of any political party. Sood said, “The welfare and future of the youth of the country is our top priority. Those who play with the future of the students will not be spared at any cost.” BJP leaders reminded the unique tradition of the party under which faces emerging from democratic student politics like Rekha Gupta and Ashish Sood have today been appointed to important government posts.
Journey from DUSU to government, why did BJP mention it?
During the press conference, BJP leaders also mentioned their tradition of rising from student politics to national leadership. Giving the example of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Education Minister Ashish Sood, he said that both of them were once the president of Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) and are moving ahead from democratic student politics and playing important responsibilities in governance. The party says that healthy student politics strengthens democracy, but if the movements are used for political gains, then the core issues of the students are left behind.
Now what next?
The debate on NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy is intense across the country. On one hand, the government is talking about examination reforms, fast-track courts and legal strictness, while the opposition is adamant on demanding accountability and resignation of the Education Minister. In such a situation, the biggest question is whether this controversy will remain focused on the future of the students or will it take the form of a completely political conflict in the coming days. At present, amid the allegations and counter-allegations, the eyes of lakhs of students are fixed on what further concrete steps are taken to restore confidence in the examination system.
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