Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 28: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday questioned the government over the alleged use of pellet guns and AK-47s during protests against examination irregularities, demanding accountability from those who approved such action.
Participating in the Lok Sabha debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, Priyanka Gandhi said students had lost faith in the examination system and were seeking reforms to protect their future.
"The students are disillusioned. Money is overshadowing merit. They want the system that is endangering their future to be improved," she said.
She alleged that students demanding accountability over alleged NEET paper leaks were met with force instead of answers.
"The examination system has itself failed. Over 750 crore students have been hit by 152 paper leaks in the last decade but not a single mafia was punished," she said, accusing the government of failing to address irregularities.
Priyanka Gandhi said restoring the confidence of young people would require major reforms and that attempts at public relations exercises or changing narratives would not resolve the issue.
She also expressed concern over the welcome accorded to former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on the Parliament premises shortly after his resignation, saying such gestures were insensitive to affected students and their families.
Earlier in her speech, she recalled the experience of a mother whose daughter was injured during police action amid student protests. According to Priyanka Gandhi, the woman refused outside assistance and decided to continue her fight on her own.
Questioning the use of force against protesters, she asked, "Are students terrorists? What was the need to use pellet guns and AK-47 against them? The Congress and the entire nation want to know who gave the order to use these guns against students."
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the youth movement against examination irregularities had demonstrated the power of public pressure, claiming that the protests forced the Centre to accept several demands.