Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday led Congress and INDIA bloc Members of Parliament to Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi, saying the visit was meant to express solidarity with students affected by the NEET paper leak controversy and those injured during recent protests.

The move came as the Opposition intensified its campaign over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, with Congress continuing to demand accountability from the Centre.

Rahul Gandhi says Opposition stands with students

After attending a meeting at Rahul Gandhi’s residence, Congress and INDIA bloc leaders left for Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg. Security arrangements were tightened outside the residence, with barricades placed in the area before the leaders departed.

Visuals from the spot showed Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several Opposition lawmakers boarding buses for the visit.

In a statement shared on social media, Rahul Gandhi said the Opposition leaders were heading to Gandhi Smriti to remember students who had allegedly lost their lives following the NEET paper leak controversy and to support those injured while participating in protests demanding justice and accountability.

He also said that students across the country were not alone and that the INDIA bloc stood with them and their demands.

Congress continues demand for Education Minister’s resignation

The visit comes amid the Congress party’s continued demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the handling of the alleged paper leak issue.

Two days earlier, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several Opposition leaders were detained while attempting to protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence over the matter.

The Opposition has maintained that greater accountability and reforms are needed to restore confidence in the examination system.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament is set for another eventful day on Thursday as the Lok Sabha is scheduled to take up the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, while the Opposition presses for an immediate discussion on the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and education reforms.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is slated to move the Bill for consideration and passage. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.

Lok Sabha to discuss Supreme Court judges amendment Bill

Alongside the Bill, the Lok Sabha will also consider a statutory resolution moved by Opposition MPs Sougata Ray, N.K. Premachandran, and Adv. Dean Kuriakose seeking to disapprove the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, which was promulgated by the President on May 16, 2026.

As per the revised List of Business, both the statutory resolution and the Amendment Bill will be discussed together.

Opposition seeks debate on NEET paper leak

Ahead of the day’s proceedings, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala submitted a notice under Rule 267 seeking suspension of the House’s scheduled business to discuss the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, police action against protesting students and broader reforms in the country’s examination system.

In his notice, Surjewala said the issue warranted immediate discussion, citing the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 following allegations of an organised paper leak network that affected over 22 lakh candidates. He also referred to repeated paper leaks in multiple recruitment examinations, alleging continuing systemic shortcomings despite legal safeguards.

Meanwhile, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal also sought a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the NEET paper leak and the reported crackdown on student protesters.

NDA MPs to stage protest

The political atmosphere is also expected to remain charged, with NDA MPs scheduled to hold a protest against the Congress at Parliament’s Makar Dwar before the proceedings begin.

The developments are likely to make the NEET controversy and judicial reforms two of the key issues dominating Parliament during the day’s session.

Student welfare remains the government’s top priority, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday as he announced the creation of fast-track courts to handle paper leak cases. The announcement comes amid ongoing protests over alleged examination irregularities and political confrontation over the issue.

PM announces fast-track courts for paper leak cases

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said nothing is more important than the welfare and future of the country’s youth. He announced that the government has decided to establish fast-track courts to ensure swift trials and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leak cases.

The Prime Minister said he has directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps to implement the decision. According to him, the move is part of a broader series of measures taken by the government to safeguard students’ interests and bring those responsible for paper leaks to justice.

He also asserted that anyone attempting to harm the future of young people would not be spared.

Rahul Gandhi responds, reiterates Opposition’s demands

Soon after the Prime Minister’s announcement, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised the government, alleging that it had failed to protect the country’s education system.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi claimed the government had allowed the education system to deteriorate and protected those responsible. He also repeated the Opposition’s demands, including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, an apology to students and action against those accused of assaulting protesters.

Earlier on Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that there had been more than 150 paper leaks in the past 10 years and claimed there had not been a single conviction in such cases.

Protests continue over paper leak issue

The Prime Minister’s announcement came as protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and Opposition parties continued in Delhi over alleged examination irregularities.

Reacting to the announcement, CJP reiterated its demand that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Modi had also described paper leaks as a “ghor paap” (grave sin) during the NDA meeting.

Meanwhile, the Opposition has continued to seek a statement from the Prime Minister in Parliament on the paper leak issue and the police action against protesting students. It has also maintained its demand for the Education Minister’s resignation before any discussion takes place in Parliament.

The government, however, has said it is prepared for a debate on the issue and has accused the Opposition of preventing the discussion by insisting on the minister’s resignation as a precondition.