Opposition leaders have responded to the midnight video of the Prime Minister talking about the measures the government is taking to address the paper leak controversy.
The Opposition reacted sharply to the rare video posted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media late Thursday night, saying the Cabinet would take up the issue of paper leaks on Friday and discuss a draft bill to check irregularities in examinations.
Opposition leaders termed the Prime Minister’s response as “empty” and “desperate” and reiterated that there will be nothing short of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation in view of the ongoing nationwide protests against NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
What did the Prime Minister say?
In the video, Modi acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and assured listeners of implementing fast-track courts “to ensure speedy and strict punishment for those involved in the paper leaks.” He also announced that the Council of Ministers will discuss this issue at a meeting on Friday, followed by presenting a new law regarding the leaking of papers in Parliament next week.
However, the Prime Minister did not directly refer to the Cockcrouch Janata Party (CJP), an online satirical movement that is leading the student mobilization with their demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“Hollow, pathetic”
The Prime Minister’s video drew sharp criticism from Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who said the Prime Minister appeared “desperate and agitated” and broke his silence on the matter almost two months after the protest began. He also went on to recall the government’s initial denial of the 2026 NEET paper leak and again called out a similar leak in 2024 as well.
“Pradhan Mantri’s lack of commitment to accountability is evident from his failure to even mention the student protests or the brutality unleashed on them by police forces on July 20,” he wrote in a post on X.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also reacted to the video and wrote: “When Parliament is in session, the Prime Minister should make a statement on the floor of Parliament, not do a unilateral ‘mann ki baat’ outside Parliament through a late night video recording!!”
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, demanded the resignation of the Education Minister and asked the Prime Minister not to “insult the intelligence of students with this pathetic video in the middle of the night”.
In addition to Pradhan’s resignation, Gandhi also demanded action against the officers who allegedly engaged in brutality against students during the CJP’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ rally on July 20.
These demands were enumerated by Gandhi in his press conference on July 22, and were also listed by Ramesh and Karji in their social media posts.
Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal responded to Modi’s video with his own video highlighting the release of those accused of leaking NEET papers for 2024, terming the Prime Minister’s assurance of a fast track court as “empty”.
AAP leader Manish Sisodia also slammed the PM’s message and wrote, “Stuck in the rigidity of the stick, they have reached ‘friends’.. Had to release their first Instagram video at 12 midnight… This is GenZ dominance, remove Dharmendra Pradhan, otherwise who knows what these kids will be forced to do now…”
Mahua Moitra, a member of parliament for the All India Trinamool Congress, said there was “word on the street that Modiji is scared now.”
“Damage control. A judicial committee will be formed to submit a report within 3 months and Pradhan will step down pending investigation. Jantar Mantar will be acquitted by Monday,” she wrote.
In a separate post, Moitra also asked the Prime Minister to “sack” the Education Minister.
CJP protests continue with Wangchuk fast
Hours after the Prime Minister’s video was released last night, climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk broke his 26-day fast to demand Pradhan’s resignation. Wangchuk ended his hunger strike in the presence of union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh at the hospital where he is receiving treatment.
Despite showing relief over Wangchuk’s breakfast following concerns over his health, the CJP revealed that their protest will continue until Pradhan’s resignation. Follow live updates here
Representatives of the CJP are scheduled to meet the government for talks at 12:30 pm today at the Constitution Club in New Delhi.
Stuti Gupta is a content producer at Hindustan Times, based in New Delhi, where she is part of the general news team, tasked with reporting on events across the country that impact the local and international environment. In her role at HT, she is responsible for monitoring incoming news updates, packaging stories and publishing them in a format that best suits her purpose. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from St. Xavier’s, Mumbai, and is interested in working in international affairs. Aside from her interest in the geopolitical world, she is a reader, writer, speaker, debater, and learner who loves getting new information. She has been recognized for her previous literary work at an international level having won the Gold Prize, Gold Prize and Silver Prize in various years participating in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition along with winning Third Prize and publishing her story in Children’s World in 2017. Except for academic and professional endeavours, she has a passion for traveling to new places, exploring new cultures and cuisines, documenting them through words and images and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. She is also very passionate about studying and actively participating in art forms such as cinema, dance, theatre, and music as a tool for cultural storytelling.Read more
Get the latest India news, headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay up to date on politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.
