NEET‑UG Paper Leak Sparks Political Flurry as Karnataka Minister Blames Centre

The recent leak of the NEET‑UG examination paper has ignited a fresh wave of political controversy across India. H K Patil, the minister responsible for higher education in Karnataka, addressed the media on July 22, directly blaming the Union government for the breach.

Patil asserted that the leak has created “significant unrest among aspirants” and accused the centre of an inadequate response that merely reshapes the narrative rather than solving the problem. He called for immediate corrective measures to restore confidence in the examination system.

The minister also referenced the broader student unrest, linking it to the ongoing fast of Sonam Wangchuk and the demands of various student groups for policy reforms. He noted that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi have organised rallies in support of the aggrieved students, urging the government to ensure transparency and fairness.

Opposition leaders have seized the moment to amplify their long‑standing calls for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, arguing that the incident reflects deeper governance issues within the education ministry.

The paper leak episode, combined with the continuing student protests, has placed the Union government under heightened scrutiny, prompting calls from multiple quarters for swift and transparent action.