TNI Bureau: The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) on Wednesday organised a massive protest rally in Sambalpur against the alleged NEET question paper leak and CBSE evaluation irregularities, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The protest, titled Maha Akrosh Samavesh, was attended by NSUI National In-charge Kanhaiya Kumar, NSUI President Vinod Jakhar, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das and several senior Congress leaders. Thousands of NSUI members participated in a bike rally and procession from Ainthapali Square to the meeting venue.

Addressing the gathering, Kanhaiya Kumar launched a sharp attack on Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging repeated failures in safeguarding the integrity of national examinations. He claimed that more than 80 examination paper leak incidents had occurred over the past 12 years and alleged that NEET papers had been leaked twice during Pradhan’s tenure as Education Minister.

Questioning the government’s handling of examination irregularities, Kumar said those responsible for leaking question papers and destroying the future of lakhs of students were the “real anti-nationals.” He demanded that the Education Minister accept responsibility and resign immediately.

Kumar further warned that the Congress and NSUI would continue their agitation “from the streets to Parliament” under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge until action is taken.

NSUI President Vinod Jakhar said students would not tolerate injustice and called for comprehensive reforms in the examination and evaluation system. Bhakta Charan Das accused the BJP government of weakening democratic institutions and failing to ensure accountability despite repeated controversies involving examinations and assessments.

The rally witnessed the participation of several Congress leaders, student activists and thousands of supporters from across western Odisha, making it one of the largest student-led protests in the region in recent months.