Congress Leaders Target PM Modi Over NEET Deaths Amid Birthday Greetings
Congress leader Pawan Khera and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he posted birthday wishes for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, highlighting the deaths of 14 NEET aspirants. Khera, in a reply to Modi's post on X, listed the names of the deceased students and wrote, "Dear Dharmendra Uncle, Happy Birthday. You turn 57 today. We couldn’t even reach half your age."
The 14 deceased NEET aspirants named by Khera include Ritik Mishra, Anshika Pandey, Bhagyashree, Umesh Mali, Riya Kumari Thapa, Anukeerthana, Rima Begum, Siddharth Hegde, Pradeep Meghwal, Shivani Yadav, Renu Meena, Akansha, Kahan Patel, and Maithili Sonwane.
Rahul Gandhi Questions PM's Priorities
Rahul Gandhi, tagging Khera's post, wrote that each name represented a child whose dreams and future had been cut short. "Each name on this list was a child with a dream, a family, a future - all destroyed by a broken system and a government that refuses to learn or take accountability," Gandhi said on X. He also directly questioned whether Prime Minister Modi had reflected on the deaths while extending birthday greetings to the Education Minister. "When PM Modi praised Dharmendra Pradhan ji on his birthday, did he even spare a thought for these children?" Gandhi asked.
Background of NEET Controversy
The Congress party has repeatedly targeted Pradhan over the handling of the NEET controversy, alleging that repeated paper leaks and examination irregularities have jeopardized the future of millions of students across the country. The party has demanded Pradhan's resignation, holding him accountable for the systemic failures that led to the deaths of the aspirants. The NEET exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency, has been marred by allegations of malpractice, including paper leaks and procedural lapses, sparking widespread protests and legal challenges.
PM Modi's Birthday Wish for Pradhan
Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Modi posted on X: "Birthday wishes to Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji. He is making commendable efforts towards the implementation of the National Education Policy, which seeks to make India a hub for knowledge, learning and innovation. Praying for his long and healthy life." The post drew immediate criticism from opposition leaders, who saw it as tone-deaf given the ongoing crisis over NEET irregularities and student deaths.
The Congress party's response underscores the political heat around the NEET controversy, with the opposition accusing the government of prioritizing optics over accountability. As the issue continues to unfold, the focus remains on the grieving families of the 14 aspirants and the demand for justice in the face of a flawed examination system.
