Raghav Chadha breaks silence on NEET row, says ‘my role now is to deliver solutions’

Speaking during a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the government's new legislation aimed at curbing paper leaks, Chadha said his responsibilities had changed after moving from the Opposition to the treasury benches.

‘My role has changed’

Known for frequently raising issues concerning students, education, the middle class and gig workers, Chadha acknowledged the questions surrounding his silence on the NEET controversy.

"Earlier, when I was in the Opposition, it was my job to raise questions, and I did it honestly. Now I am on the treasury benches, so my role has changed. My responsibility is no longer to ask questions but to provide solutions," he said in the Upper House.

Responding to critics

The young parliamentarian said he was aware of the criticism directed at him but insisted that he was more focused on resolving the issue than making public appearances.

"I do not need headlines or to mark attendance before cameras. I had promised myself that I would speak on the issue only when we had a solution and when the system was being fixed," Chadha said.

Calling the introduction of the new anti-paper leak law a "historic" step, he argued that structural reforms were necessary to tackle examination fraud.

‘Paper leaks need institutional reform’

Backing the government's legislative push, Chadha said the problem could not be solved through rhetoric alone.

"Just as cancer cannot be treated with Crocin, the paper leak menace cannot be controlled by mere soundbites. What is needed is institutional reform, and that process has begun," he said.

The proposed law seeks to strengthen penalties for those involved in examination malpractice and paper leaks, a recurring issue that has triggered public outrage in recent years.

PM Modi heard students’ concerns, says Chadha

Addressing students affected by the NEET controversy, Chadha said their frustration was understandable and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for responding to their concerns.

"To every NEET student watching this: your anger is justified, your pain is real, and your complaint against the system is genuine," he said.

According to Chadha, the Prime Minister listened to students' demands and acted to address the issue through policy measures and legislative reforms.

"Students demanded, the government acted, and historic decisions have been taken," he added.

Focus on fixing the system

Chadha's remarks came amid an ongoing debate over examination integrity and accountability following the NEET paper leak controversy, which sparked protests across several cities and intensified demands for reforms in the country's examination system.

With the government pushing for stricter laws against paper leaks, Chadha maintained that meaningful change would come not from political point-scoring but from systemic reforms designed to restore trust in public examinations.