'Then leak every paper': Opposition, CJP tear into Sitharaman over NEET leak remarks

The old saying goes that every crisis is an opportunity. However, when that 'opportunity' is a paper leak that threw lakhs of students into uncertainty, many believe it is hardly a lesson worth celebrating.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has landed in the middle of a political storm after suggesting that some students turned the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak into an advantage by preparing harder and eventually performing better.

Her remarks have triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders as well as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), with detractors accusing the government of appearing to rationalise the controversy instead of unequivocally condemning it.

Speaking on the ongoing CJP-led protests, Sitharaman said she had heard young people admit that while the paper leak initially hurt them, they later 'took advantage of that', prepared even more and eventually performed well. She added that some students had faced the challenge and 'come out bright in bright colors', while asserting that both the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were responding to the issue.

The comments quickly snowballed into a fresh political flashpoint. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka reacted sharply on X, saying, 'By this logic every paper in this country should get leaked.'

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi responded with biting sarcasm, writing, 'How to take advantage of reexamination on account of leaked paper. Very succinct. Students please listen and stop protesting.'

The controversy comes at a time when thousands of students across the country continue to protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also questioned the minister's remarks, asking, 'Did @nsitharaman just say 'Due to the paper leak, the children got even more time to study so that they could perform better'?' She added that 'this entire Cabinet should resign.'

Social media erupts over Sitharaman's remarks

Sitharaman's comments also triggered a wave of criticism on social media, with several X users accusing the Union minister of downplaying the seriousness of the NEET paper leak.

Many sarcastically claimed she had highlighted the 'benefits' of paper leaks, while others alleged the remarks were an attempt to defend the government over the controversy.

One user wrote, 'Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman explains the benefits of paper leaks: 'Due to paper leaks, children got much more time to study.'' Another remarked, 'Nirmala comes out of hiding and explains how paper leaks are beneficial.'

A different user posted, 'Benefits of Paper Leaks featuring Nirmala Sitharaman,' while another sarcastically claimed, 'Paper leak has its own advantages. Students can prepare more to secure better rank.'

Another post described the remarks as 'shameful', alleging that the minister was defending Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan by suggesting students had extra time to prepare because of the leak.

This keeps the reactions attributed to social media users without endorsing their claims, while fitting naturally into the flow of the report.

Protesters have been demanding accountability for the alleged paper leak and seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Meanwhile, the second round of talks between the CJP and the Narendra Modi government ended without a breakthrough.

The Centre deputed Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitender Singh to hold discussions with CJP representatives Saurav Dass and Ashutosh Ranka.

After more than two hours of deliberations, Ranka said the government had agreed 'in principle' to two demands: providing ₹1 crore compensation to the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, and withdrawing FIRs registered over the violence during Monday's march to Parliament.

However, on the protesters' principal demand seeking Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation or removal, Ranka said the government had sought time until Saturday afternoon to convey its decision. Both sides are scheduled to meet again in Delhi on Saturday.