Congress launches nationwide youth campaign against paper leaks, exam irregularities
In a major outreach to the country's youth, the Congress party on Saturday announced a nationwide campaign focusing on paper leaks, examination irregularities, and unemployment. The campaign, led by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, will kick off with a student convention in Kota on June 17, followed by events in Prayagraj (Allahabad) on July 10, Patna on July 11, and Delhi on July 14.
Key facts
- Campaign name: Nationwide youth outreach by Congress
- Leader: Rahul Gandhi
- First event: Kota, June 17
- Subsequent events: Prayagraj (July 10), Patna (July 11), Delhi (July 14)
- Focus issues: Paper leaks, NEET decentralisation, abolition of exam fees, accountability for exam irregularities
Details of the campaign
Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal announced the first phase of the outreach, stating that the initiative aims to highlight issues such as paper leaks, examination irregularities, unemployment, and what the party calls the Centre's failure to safeguard students and job aspirants. The campaign will bring together students, aspirants, youth organisations, and educators affected by examination scandals.
Venugopal alleged that the futures of millions of young Indians are being jeopardised by paper leaks, rising examination costs, and the government's failure to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment and education system. The campaign will foreground demands that Rahul Gandhi has raised earlier, including decentralisation of the NEET examination, abolition of examination fees, stringent action against those involved in paper leak rackets, and accountability at the highest levels of government.
Demands and political context
The Congress party reiterated its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination-related controversies. Venugopal said, The Congress Party will therefore seek a comprehensive discussion in Parliament on the crisis confronting India's youth and advocate legislative measures to protect their interests, rights and future.
The party plans to mobilise students through the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the Indian Youth Congress, and party units across the country. The outreach will include campus visits, interactions at coaching centres, universities and schools, social media campaigns, live screenings, and direct engagement with students.
Impact and what readers should know
The campaign seeks to unite students beyond political affiliations and provide a platform for those affected by examination irregularities to share their experiences and demand accountability. Rahul Gandhi has consistently raised concerns over paper leaks, recruitment delays, and unemployment, making issues of merit, fairness, and equal opportunity central to his engagement with students and youth.
Source: www.thehindu.com