- Rahul Gandhi questioned PM Modi’s birthday wish to Dharmendra Pradhan.
- Gandhi highlighted student suicides linked to alleged NEET-UG leak.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the latter wished Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on his birthday, asking whether the Prime Minister had “spared a thought” for NEET-UG aspirants whose alleged suicides were linked to the examination paper leak.
‘Did He Even Spare A Thought For These Children?’
Responding to a post on X by fellow Congress leader Pawan Khera, who shared the names of 14 aspirants, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha wrote that each of them had “a dream, a family and a future” that had been destroyed.
“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. Remember these students. Every one of them,” Gandhi wrote.
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.
Remember these students. Every one of them.
When PM Modi praised Dharmendra Pradhan ji on his birthday, did he… https://t.co/R6oav08IHm
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 26, 2026
Questioning the Prime Minister’s birthday greeting to Pradhan, Gandhi added: “When PM Modi praised Dharmendra Pradhan ji on his birthday, did he even spare a thought for these children?”
The Congress leader has repeatedly criticised the Centre over the NEET-UG paper leak and its handling of the examination controversy.
PM Modi Wishes Pradhan On His Birthday
His remarks came after Prime Minister Modi extended birthday wishes to Pradhan on his 57th birthday, praising his efforts in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP).
“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,” Modi posted on X.
The alleged NEET-UG paper leak has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties and student organisations, many of whom have demanded Pradhan’s resignation or removal from the Union Cabinet.
More than 22 lakh candidates appeared for the NEET-UG examination on 3 May. The exam was subsequently cancelled on 12 May following the controversy, and a re-examination was conducted on 21 June.
