Speaking after the latest developments in the NEET protest movement, Gandhi said the government must implement meaningful reforms and ensure accountability, cautioning that public anger had not subsided.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi government and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleging that India’s education system has been “hollowed out like termites” and warning that the country could witness an agitation “ten times bigger” than the recent student protests if the Centre failed to undertake meaningful reforms.
Addressing a packed press conference following the suspension of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) agitation after negotiations with the Centre, Gandhi said the student movement had exposed deep-rooted structural failures in the country’s examination system and forced the government to respond.
“If the Centre does not mend its ways and continues to protect those responsible for destroying the future of our youth, a movement ten times bigger than this will unfold across the country,” Gandhi said. “The anger among students has not disappeared. It has merely paused to see whether the government honours its commitments.”
Launching one of his sharpest attacks on the RSS, Gandhi alleged that the ideological organisation had systematically weakened India’s education system over the years.
“The RSS has hollowed out India’s education system like termites. Institutions that should protect merit, fairness and opportunity have been weakened from within. Instead of nurturing talent, the system has become vulnerable to corruption, favouritism and repeated examination scandals,” he said.
VIDEO | Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, “First of all, this is the victory of our students. This is their triumph. They are the future of India. Our education system used to be a matter of pride. It was acknowledged across the world that India’s education system… pic.twitter.com/nnyInehydW
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 25, 2026
According to Gandhi, the recent paper leak controversies involving competitive examinations such as NEET-UG were symptoms of a much larger institutional crisis.
“This is no longer just about one examination or one ministry. It is about the future of millions of young Indians who study day and night believing that hard work will be rewarded. When question papers are leaked repeatedly, faith in the entire system collapses,” he said.
READ: CJP Calls off Agitation After Centre Accepts Key Demands
The Congress leader also demanded strict legal action against those responsible for the alleged police excesses during student demonstrations in Delhi, particularly the crackdown near Parliament earlier this week.
“No democracy can justify violence against students who are peacefully demanding justice. Those who ordered and carried out the brutality must face the law,” Gandhi said.
Holding Union Home Minister Amit Shah directly responsible for the police action, Gandhi alleged that the crackdown reflected the government’s inability to engage democratically with dissent.
“The Delhi Police functions under the Union Home Ministry. Therefore, Amit Shah cannot escape responsibility for the violence inflicted on students. Those responsible for ordering this brutality must be held accountable,” he said.
Gandhi paid tribute to the students who sustained the movement despite police action, arrests and uncertainty, saying they had achieved what many believed was impossible.
“I want to thank every student who stood firm despite intimidation and violence. This victory belongs to them—not to politicians. Their courage forced the government to listen.”
He described the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a direct consequence of sustained public pressure and student mobilisation.
“The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan is not a favour extended by the government. It is the result of the determination shown by students across India. They compelled the government to act.”
Gandhi also launched a personal attack on the former education minister, describing him as “a symbol of corruption and inefficiency.”
“Dharmendra Pradhan represented everything that has gone wrong with the education system—administrative failure, lack of accountability and complete insensitivity towards the aspirations of students. His resignation was necessary, but it cannot become the end of the reform process,” he said.
Calling for comprehensive changes, Gandhi urged the Centre to establish an independent and transparent examination system insulated from political influence, ensure swift prosecution of those involved in paper leak rackets, strengthen institutional accountability and guarantee protection for whistle-blowers.
“The country does not need cosmetic changes. It needs structural reforms that restore confidence among students. Young people must believe that merit—not money, influence or corruption—determines their future.”
Referring to the Centre’s assurances during negotiations with CJP leaders, Gandhi welcomed the reported decision to withdraw cases against protesters and provide compensation to families affected by the paper leak crisis. However, he cautioned that announcements alone would not satisfy the public.
“The government has made promises. Now it must implement them faithfully. Students are watching, parents are watching and the nation is watching.”
Concluding his remarks, Gandhi said the recent movement had evolved into much more than a protest over examination irregularities.
“This has become a movement for justice, accountability and the future of India’s youth. If the government treats today’s developments as the end of the story instead of the beginning of reform, it will face an agitation far larger than anything witnessed so far.”
