New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has broken his silence amid the escalating NEET protest row, defending the government’s handling of student concerns and accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the opposition of using the issue for political gains.

Pradhan’s remarks came after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition leaders were detained during a protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, where they demanded accountability over alleged irregularities in the education system and called for Pradhan’s resignation.

In a statement, Pradhan accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of choosing a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence instead of participating in parliamentary discussions. He claimed that the government had already expressed willingness to hold a detailed discussion on NEET-related issues.

Pradhan said the opposition’s actions were aimed at creating disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament rather than finding solutions for students. He argued that students should not be used as “props” in political campaigns and said the government remained committed to addressing genuine concerns of young people.

The minister’s response came after several opposition leaders criticised the government over police action during student protests and demanded reforms in the examination system. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, after being released from detention, said the education system needed major reforms and reiterated the demand for Pradhan’s resignation.

The Congress has accused the government of failing to protect students’ interests and ignoring demands for accountability over examination-related issues. Opposition leaders have called for discussions in Parliament and changes to prevent future paper leaks and irregularities.

Pradhan, however, maintained that the government was ready to discuss the matter and work towards reforms. He said students needed “certainty over chaos, solutions over slogans and responsibility over disruption”.

The political battle over the NEET issue has intensified, with both the government and opposition accusing each other of using student concerns for political messaging. The controversy continues to remain a major issue during the ongoing Parliament session.