The Congress party on Saturday declared a nationwide campaign targeting the central government on issues including paper leaks, examination irregularities, and unemployment. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address a student conference in Patna on July 11.
Campaign Announcement
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal made the announcement through a press statement. As part of the campaign, Rahul Gandhi will lead a series of large student conventions across major cities. The first convention will be held in Kota on June 17, followed by Allahabad on July 10, Patna on July 11, and Delhi on July 14.
Objective and Focus
The party stated that the initiative aims to unite students, competitive exam aspirants, youth organisations, and educators who have been impacted by alleged examination malpractices. The campaign will shed light on the difficulties faced by young Indians due to paper leaks, rising examination costs, and what the party describes as the government's failure to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment and education system.
Party sources indicated that the venue for the Patna event has not yet been finalised, but the meeting with students is likely to take place in a hall.
Bihar Congress Protest
On the same day, the Bihar Congress staged a protest march in Patna demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest was in response to the NEET-UG paper leak on May 3 and alleged irregularities in CBSE results and answer sheets. Led by state Congress president Rajesh Ram, party leaders claimed that 89 examination papers have been leaked over the past 12 years, highlighting repeated lapses in maintaining exam integrity. They also alleged multiple leaks in NEET exams conducted by the National Testing Agency.
Rajesh Ram stated, "The BJP-led government has created a system where merit is compromised and opportunities are skewed. Poor students are being repeatedly denied a fair chance." He accused the Centre of failing to safeguard the education system.
