Congress demands PM Modi dismiss Education Minister Pradhan before Parliament debate on paper leaks

Opposition refuses government's offer of debate, insists on minister's resignation as precondition

Published: July 24, 2026 11:04 am IST | The Hindu Bureau

The Congress party on Friday (July 24, 2026) demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi dismiss Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan before entering Parliament, as the Opposition refused the government's offer of a debate on paper leaks unless the minister is removed from his post.

Key Demands

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, addressing Prime Minister Modi in a post on X, stated:

• Dismiss Dharmendra Pradhan before coming to Parliament
• Apologise to students
• Take strict action against those who ordered the use of lathis, batons, and pellet guns to suppress student voices

Mr. Kharge said the Opposition would be ready to discuss the education system only after Mr. Pradhan's sacking.

Congress Leadership's Response

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the first steps to any resolution are clear: "sack Mantri Pradhan; punish those who beat them; apologise."

Mr. Ramesh described the Prime Minister as "desperate and hassled-looking" in his late-night video message, noting that Mr. Modi finally broke his two-month silence on paper leaks.

Criticism of Government's Handling

Mr. Ramesh highlighted several points:

• The Modi government had long denied that the NEET-UG 2026 exam was leaked
• Mr. Pradhan deliberately refused to use the word "leak" in his press conference
• The Education Ministry officially denied a paper leak occurred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education
• It took two months of public anger for the PM to accept the truth

Questioning the CBI investigation, Mr. Ramesh said: "This crisis does not originate in our slow-moving judiciary alone but in the weak investigations conducted by the CBI and the dishonest political leadership of the Modi Government."

He added that the Prime Minister's "lack of commitment to accountability is evident from his failure to even mention the student protests or the brutality unleashed on them by his police forces on 20th July."

Prime Minister's Announcement

PM Modi announced on Thursday night (July 23, 2026) that a Bill containing provisions for strong action against paper leaks will be introduced in Parliament next week.

In a video message, Mr. Modi said the contours of the Bill would be discussed at a Union Cabinet meeting on Friday (July 24, 2026), where the proposed legislation would be finalised.

"On Monday, when the second week of the Monsoon session of Parliament will begin, a Bill will be brought with provisions for strong action against paper leaks," the Prime Minister stated.