TNI Bureau: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched the Congress party’s nationwide campaign against alleged paper leaks and examination irregularities with a major student convention in Rajasthan’s Kota, a hub of coaching institutes and competitive exam aspirants.

Addressing the “Echo of Students” rally, Gandhi said India’s education system was putting excessive pressure on children and called for reforms to ensure that students are not crushed by academic stress. He accused the Centre of failing to protect the aspirations of young people and alleged that repeated paper leaks, cancelled examinations and stalled recruitments were destroying the dreams of millions of students.

The Congress leader urged students and youth to unite beyond political affiliations and demand accountability over examination scandals and unemployment. The Kota event marked the beginning of a series of student conventions planned across the country, with similar programmes scheduled in Prayagraj, Patna and Delhi in the coming weeks.

The rally also sparked a political controversy, with Congress leaders alleging attempts to disrupt the programme, while the BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of politicising student issues ahead of the NEET re-examination.