Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday criticized the Congress party amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding competitive examinations, including NEET. Speaking to ANI, Pradhan stated, "Congress does not want discussion, and they are running away from it. They only want chaos, and confusion, and want to create obstacles in the entire functioning of the institutional mechanism."

His remarks came a day after opposition parties, including the Congress, staged a protest in Parliament, demanding a discussion on NEET. Pradhan emphasized the government's willingness to address the issues, saying, "On behalf of the government, I clearly said that we are ready for any kind of discussion, but Congress does not want to address the students' issue, they want the matter to remain burning? Such issues have come to light even before 2014, but I cannot justify it."

Pradhan acknowledged the challenges and shortcomings in the examination process, as admitted by the President herself. He highlighted the government's proactive steps, including the appointment of new leadership at the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the formation of a high-powered committee to recommend reforms. "NTA has got new leadership, reforms have been initiated in NTA under the leadership of former ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan. We have formed a new law to address the issue, and the entire case has been handed over to the CBI," Pradhan said.

The government recently announced a new set of examination dates for NEET-PG, which were initially deferred or canceled. Pradhan assured that new dates would be released by Monday-Tuesday. The NTA conducted the NEET-UG on May 5, with around 24 lakh candidates appearing for the examination.

Pradhan's comments followed Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's call for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a "respectful" and thorough discussion in Parliament regarding the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the NEET exam. Gandhi's plea underscored the opposition's demand for accountability and transparency in the examination process.

The controversy over NEET has been a focal point of parliamentary debate, with accusations of irregularities and demands for systemic reforms. The government's swift actions, including the replacement of the NTA director general and the establishment of a high-powered committee, indicate a commitment to enhancing data security protocols and reviewing the structure and operations of the NTA.

The reforms are seen as a crucial step towards restoring trust in the examination process and ensuring fair opportunities for students. As the government moves forward with its agenda, the call for a comprehensive and respectful dialogue in Parliament remains a critical aspect of addressing the concerns of students and stakeholders.