Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Friday criticized the Central Government over the ongoing paper leak controversy, saying he would have welcomed an announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi removing Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from office.
Kharge said, speaking to the media: “I would have been happier if PM Modi had announced that he would throw out Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.”
VIDEO | Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge says, "I would have been happier if PM Modi had announced that he will throw out Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan."
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 24, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/sx4x9lz45D
Such a statement comes at the height of political debate on alleged irregularities in competitive exams and mounting pressure from opposition leaders and student groups to answer for what they say are the paper leak scandals.
Kharge’s comments are consistent with Opposition parties’ growing calls for the resignation or removal of the Education Minister and argue that political accountability is required alongside institutional change to restore confidence in the country’s examination system.
The issue has dominated the conversation in the current Parliament, and Opposition leaders have repeatedly raised the issue of the impact of alleged paper leaks on students who are preparing for competitive exams. Many parties say repeated examination controversies are undermining millions of young candidates’ prospects and are calling for stronger controls on future lapses.
The Central Government has said it would maintain the integrity of public examinations. Investigations were already in place, and those responsible would be punished. And it has also said administrative and institutional reforms are being considered to improve examination processes and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The controversy is also being considered by the Supreme Court - petitions for NEET-UG 2026 and for NTA reforms are in process. In recent hearings, the Centre has said it is ready to consider suggestions to make it better and strengthen institutional checks.
Political talks about accountability are going on, and the ruling party and the Opposition are telling very different stories about accountability and government action. Opposition leaders are demanding action against those they suspect are responsible, but the Centre has said reforms are being pursued and investigations are being done in accordance with legal and administrative procedures.
Kharge’s comments are the latest in a series of calls by Congress leaders for accountability on the paper leak issue. The debate will continue in and outside Parliament on a day when examination reforms and student welfare are at the heart of the national political agenda.
With public attention so focused on what's happening, political leaders and students in India are likely to have more conversations to follow up on the subject and to put their proposals to political leaders, student organisations, and policymakers to work on such things to improve transparency, security of examinations, and faith in India's competitive examination system.
