Congress leader links alleged suicide of NEET aspirant to concerns over examination irregularities and challenges facing students.
New Delhi (Economy India): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday following reports of the alleged suicide of a NEET aspirant, claiming that an entire generation of young Indians is paying the price for what he described as the deterioration of the country’s education system over the past 12 years.
Gandhi’s remarks came after media reports stated that Akanksha Chaturvedi, a NEET aspirant from Madhya Pradesh’s Mauganj district, allegedly died by suicide in Nagpur after reportedly suffering from depression linked to reports of irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.
In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi expressed condolences to the family and highlighted the sacrifices made by Akanksha’s parents to support her dream of becoming a doctor.
According to Gandhi, Akanksha’s father, a farmer, had taken a loan of ₹3 lakh through a Kisan Credit Card to finance her education and coaching. He also reportedly worked as a cook in Nagpur so that his daughter could pursue medical entrance exam preparation.
“Akanksha aspired to become a doctor and serve her country and society,” Gandhi said, while questioning the state of India’s education and examination systems.
The Congress leader alleged that repeated controversies surrounding competitive examinations have created uncertainty and stress among students preparing for higher education opportunities.
Political Debate Over Examination Reforms
The incident has once again brought attention to concerns surrounding India’s highly competitive entrance examination system.
Over the past few years, several national-level examinations, including NEET and recruitment tests, have faced allegations related to paper leaks, irregularities, and administrative lapses. These issues have sparked political debates and calls for stronger safeguards to ensure transparency and fairness.
Opposition parties have repeatedly accused the government of failing to adequately address examination-related challenges, while the government has defended its efforts to strengthen examination security and improve educational infrastructure.
Rising Concerns Over Student Mental Health
The case has also renewed discussions on the growing pressure faced by students preparing for competitive examinations.
Education experts and mental health professionals have frequently highlighted the need for stronger counselling support, stress management programs, and institutional mechanisms to help students cope with academic pressures.
Competitive entrance examinations such as NEET are among the most challenging tests in the country, with lakhs of students competing each year for a limited number of seats in medical colleges.
Experts emphasize that academic success should not come at the cost of mental well-being and have called for greater awareness about mental health support systems for students and families.
Government Yet to Respond
At the time of reporting, there was no immediate response from the central government regarding Rahul Gandhi’s remarks.
Meanwhile, local authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
(Economy India)
