NEW DELHI — Congress leader Jignesh Mevani on Monday sought to deflect criticism over Rahul Gandhi’s absence from a high-profile protest organized by the Committee for Judicial Probity (CJP), arguing that the party’s own workers were already engaged in sustained demonstrations against alleged paper leak scams in competitive examinations. Mevani’s remarks underscored the Congress’s efforts to assert its leadership in the opposition’s campaign against administrative failures, even as questions persist over coordination among civil society groups and political parties.
What Happened
Speaking to reporters outside the CJP protest site in the national capital, Mevani, the Congress MLA from Gujarat’s Vadgam constituency, stated that the party’s student and youth wings—the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and Youth Congress—had been actively protesting against paper leaks in recruitment exams. “Congress workers, including those from the NSUI and Youth Congress, have been protesting on the streets against the paper leak scams,” Mevani said. “They have faced lathis [police batons] and arrests. The party is already engaged in these agitations.”
The CJP protest, which has drawn attention for its demands for judicial accountability and electoral reforms, also featured activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike since last week. Wangchuk’s fast, aimed at pressuring the government to address irregularities in competitive examinations, has galvanized support from students, civil society groups, and opposition parties. However, the absence of prominent Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, sparked speculation about divisions within the opposition ranks.
Mevani dismissed such suggestions, framing the Congress’s decision to prioritize its own protests as a strategic choice rather than a sign of disunity. “The Congress is not absent from the fight against corruption and mismanagement,” he said. “Our workers are on the ground, facing police action, and demanding accountability. This is not about who joins which protest—it is about ensuring that the government is held responsible for its failures.”
Why It Matters
The controversy over Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the CJP protest highlights broader tensions within the opposition’s efforts to present a united front against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While the Congress has sought to position itself as the leading voice against alleged administrative lapses, its decision to focus on its own demonstrations—rather than aligning with civil society-led protests—risks being perceived as a tactical misstep.
The paper leak scandals, particularly those involving the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG) and the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), have become a flashpoint in the opposition’s campaign against the government. The Congress has accused the National Testing Agency (NTA), the body responsible for conducting these exams, of systemic mismanagement and demanded a thorough investigation. The party’s aggressive stance on the issue has resonated with students and young voters, a key demographic ahead of the 2024 general elections.
However, the CJP protest, which has drawn support from a diverse coalition of activists, students, and opposition parties, represents a broader platform for dissent. The absence of Congress’s top leadership from the event has fueled debates over whether the party is prioritizing its own political messaging over collective opposition action. Mevani’s defense of Gandhi’s absence suggests that the Congress is keen to avoid being overshadowed by civil society groups, even as it seeks to maintain its relevance in the opposition’s anti-government narrative.
Background and Context
The paper leak controversies have dominated headlines in India since May 2026, when allegations of irregularities in the NEET-UG exam first surfaced. The exam, which determines admission to medical colleges across the country, was marred by reports of leaked question papers, delayed results, and allegations of widespread cheating. The scandal deepened in June 2026 when the UGC-NET, a qualifying exam for university teaching positions and PhD admissions, was abruptly canceled after reports of a paper leak.
The government’s response to the crises has been widely criticized. While the Ministry of Education has promised investigations and reforms, opposition parties, including the Congress, have accused the government of failing to address the root causes of the problem. The Congress has demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the dissolution of the NTA, arguing that the agency’s lack of transparency has eroded public trust in India’s examination system.
The CJP protest, which began on July 10, 2026, has emerged as a focal point for broader demands for electoral and judicial reforms. Sonam Wangchuk, the Ladakh-based education reformer and climate activist, has been on a hunger strike since July 12, demanding a probe into the paper leaks and the implementation of the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling on electoral bonds. Wangchuk’s fast has drawn parallels to his previous protests, including his 2022 hunger strike demanding statehood for Ladakh, which garnered national attention.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty
Mevani’s assertion that the Congress is actively protesting against paper leaks is supported by recent events. Over the past two months, the NSUI and Youth Congress have organized multiple demonstrations across the country, including in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. These protests have often been met with police action, with reports of baton charges and arrests. The Congress has also raised the issue in Parliament, demanding debates and accountability from the government.
However, the party’s decision to distance itself from the CJP protest has raised questions about its commitment to broader opposition unity. While the Congress has framed its absence as a strategic choice, critics argue that the party is more interested in controlling the narrative than collaborating with civil society groups. The CJP, a non-partisan organization, has positioned itself as a neutral platform for dissent, making the Congress’s absence all the more conspicuous.
There is also uncertainty over the government’s next steps in addressing the paper leak scandals. While the Ministry of Education has announced the formation of a high-level committee to review the NTA’s functioning, opposition parties have dismissed the move as insufficient. The Congress has demanded a judicial inquiry into the leaks, arguing that an internal review would lack credibility. The government, however, has resisted calls for a judicial probe, citing ongoing investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
What to Watch Next
1. Congress’s Strategy: The party’s ability to sustain its protests against paper leaks will be closely watched. If the Congress can maintain momentum, it may succeed in positioning itself as the primary opposition voice on the issue. However, if its demonstrations lose steam, the party could face criticism for failing to capitalize on public anger.
2. CJP Protest’s Trajectory: The CJP protest’s success in maintaining pressure on the government will depend on its ability to attract broader support. If more opposition parties and civil society groups join the demonstration, it could overshadow the Congress’s efforts. Conversely, if the protest fizzles out, it may reinforce the Congress’s decision to prioritize its own agitation.
3. Government’s Response: The government’s handling of the paper leak scandals will be a key test of its credibility. If the high-level committee’s findings are perceived as inadequate, it could fuel further protests. The opposition is likely to seize on any perceived delays or obfuscation, using the issue to rally support ahead of the next general election.
4. Judicial and Electoral Reforms: The CJP protest’s demands for judicial and electoral reforms could gain traction if the paper leak scandals continue to dominate public discourse. The Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling on electoral bonds, which mandated greater transparency in political funding, remains a contentious issue. If the government fails to implement the ruling, it could become a rallying cry for opposition parties and civil society groups.
Conclusion
Jignesh Mevani’s defense of Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the CJP protest underscores the delicate balancing act the Congress faces as it seeks to assert its leadership in the opposition’s campaign against administrative failures. While the party’s decision to focus on its own protests may be a strategic effort to control the narrative, it risks alienating civil society groups and reinforcing perceptions of disunity within the opposition.
The paper leak scandals have exposed deep-seated flaws in India’s examination system, and the government’s response will be closely scrutinized in the coming weeks. For the Congress, the challenge will be to maintain its relevance in the opposition’s anti-government campaign while navigating the complexities of coalition politics. Meanwhile, the CJP protest’s ability to sustain pressure on the government could determine whether the issue remains a political flashpoint or fades from public memory.
As the protests continue, one thing is clear: the battle for accountability in India’s examination system is far from over. The Congress’s next moves—and the government’s response—will shape the contours of the opposition’s campaign in the lead-up to the 2029 general elections.
Story synopsis gathered from: [Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jignesh-mevani-rahul-gandhi-congress-absent-buzz-cjp-protest-sonam-wangchuk-hunger-strike-101784042692480.html) — source.
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Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source.
