New Delhi, Jun 13 (UNI) The Congress on Saturday announced the first phase of a nationwide campaign against paper leaks, examination irregularities and unemployment, with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi set to lead a series of student conventions across the country aimed at mobilising youth on issues affecting education and recruitment.
In a statement, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal said the campaign was being launched under the guidance of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, whom he described as a consistent advocate for students and young people facing growing uncertainty over their futures.
As part of the initiative, Gandhi will address large student conventions in Kota on June 17, Allahabad on July 10, Patna on July 11 and Delhi on July 14. The events are expected to bring together students, competitive examination aspirants, youth organisations, educators and others affected by examination-related controversies.
Announcing the campaign, Venugopal said the Congress would highlight the difficulties faced by millions of young Indians due to repeated paper leaks, increasing examination expenses and what the party termed the government's failure to ensure a fair and transparent education and recruitment system.
“Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Congress President, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge and the empowering leadership of Shri Rahul Gandhi, the Indian National Congress has announced the first phase of a nationwide campaign against the growing crisis of paper leaks, examination irregularities, unemployment and the systematic betrayal of India’s youth by the Modi Government,” Venugopal said.
He said the campaign would seek to amplify concerns over examination scandals and create a platform for affected students to share their experiences. “The movement will seek to unite students beyond political affiliations and provide a platform for affected youth to share their experiences and demand accountability for repeated examination failures and paper leak scandals,” he said.
The Congress said its student and youth wings, including the National Students’ union of India (NSUI) and the Indian Youth Congress, along with Pradesh Congress Committees, District Congress Committees and local party units, would undertake extensive outreach programmes. These will include campus interactions, visits to coaching centres and educational institutions, social media campaigns, live screenings and direct engagement with students across the country.
The opposition party also reiterated demands earlier raised by Gandhi, including decentralisation of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), abolition of examination fees, stringent action against those involved in paper leak rackets and accountability at the highest levels of government. The Congress has also continued to demand the resignation of the union Education Minister over alleged lapses in the conduct of examinations.
The announcement comes amid a prolonged political debate over examination integrity and recruitment processes, issues that have gained prominence following allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in several competitive examinations in recent years. Opposition parties have repeatedly accused the Centre of failing to protect the interests of students and job aspirants, while the government has maintained that it is taking steps to strengthen examination systems and punish those involved in malpractice.
Venugopal said the Congress would continue to raise the concerns of young people both on the streets and in Parliament. “Having repeatedly raised these issues, Shri Rahul Gandhi has made the defence of merit, fairness and the availability of equal opportunity to our youth a pressing matter of national importance,” he said.
He added that the party would seek a comprehensive discussion in Parliament on the challenges confronting India's youth and push for legislative measures aimed at safeguarding their interests, rights and future. UNI SKA AAB