NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday message for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan by asking whether the prime minister had “spared a thought” for aspirants whose deaths by suicide were linked to the NEET-UG paper leak.“Each name on this list was a child with a dream, a family, a future — all destroyed by a broken system and a government that refuses to learn or take accountability. Remember these students. Every one of them,” the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha wrote on X while responding to a post by fellow Congress leader Pawan Khera, who shared the names of 14 such aspirants.“When PM Modi praised Dharmendra Pradhan ji on his birthday, did he even spare a thought for these children?” Rahul Gandhi added.The Rae Bareli MP has repeatedly targeted the Centre over the NEET-UG paper leak and related issues.His remarks came after PM Modi wished Pradhan on his 57th birthday, praising his “commendable efforts” in implementing the National Education Policy.“Birthday wishes to Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji. He is making commendable efforts towards the implementation of the National Education Policy, which seeks to make India a hub for knowledge, learning and innovation. Praying for his long and healthy life,” Modi wrote on X.Student groups and opposition parties have been demanding Pradhan’s resignation, or that he be removed from the Union Cabinet, over the NEET-UG paper leak fiasco.Over 22 lakh students appeared for the medical entrance examination on May 3. However, the exam was cancelled on May 12.The NEET-UG re-exam was held on June 21.
