NEET paper leak row won't end with Dharmendra Pradhan's exit, says Shiv Sena (UBT)

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday claimed the NEET paper leak issue will not end with Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as the Union education minister, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance continues to harm the nation.

In a scathing editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', the party dismissed the government's proposed anti-paper leak legislation as mere deception, alleging that the law is the same as before, only the quantum of punishment has changed.

The editorial stated that the government's stance was not to bow before the "cockroaches" (the Cockroach Janata Party).


Also Read: Bombay HC allows Nitin Gadkari to sue Meta, X over alleged deepfakes: Report

The "arrogant" government baton-charged and trained guns on cockroaches, but the country's youth did not leave Jantar Mantar, it said.

"Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation will not end the issue. The governance of 'big Pradhan' (PM Modi) and his administration have been harmful to the country. Home Minister Amit Shah's hands are stained with blood, and public anger will also be directed at him," it claimed.

It further alleged that the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposing up to 10 years' imprisonment and up to Rs 10 crore fine in cases of paper leak, is essentially the same as the old law, with a higher quantum of punishment.

Also Read: Govt introduces anti-paper leak Bill in Lok Sabha amid Opposition protests

The bill is a way of deceiving students and parents, the party alleged.

Pradhan resigned on Saturday, after weeks of the Cockroach Janta Party's agitation in Delhi that galvanised lakhs of people over irregularities in exams and the NEET paper leak.

The CJP called off the agitation after the government agreed to the outfit's other demands, including "honourable" compensation to the families of students who committed suicide and withdrawal of FIRs against protesters in Delhi and other BJP-ruled states.

The Opposition party claimed that PM Modi and Shah had become a subject of ridicule, as the youth came up with creative slogans and memes to criticise the government.

The creativity of the youth and digital technology flourished during the CJP's movement, it said.

It highlighted that 20 student suicides ignited anger and united the country, driving young protesters to Jantar Mantar.

Shah ordered a lathi-charge (baton charge) on students, and there were even orders to open fire, if necessary, the party claimed.

The home minister cannot escape accountability, and PM Modi will eventually have to apologise to the nation for their "inhumane" actions, it said.