21 July,2026 10:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ravi Kishan. Pic via X
Actor and BJP MP Ravi Kishan spoke about the ongoing controversy around the NEET paper leak on Tuesday, saying those involved should be given the "harshest punishment". However, while talking about the issue, he faced a slip-up, calling NEET a 'newspaper.' The actor, who is known for such slips of the tongue, is facing backlash on the internet over the same.
He spoke to the media outside the Parliament House about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on the issue. He said in Hindi, "The 13 criminals (NEET paper leak case) who have been caught, they should be given the harshest punishment. By hiring the top lawyers, we will ensure they get the strictest sentence so that in the future, no one in India dares to play with the lives of children or has the audacity to leak the NEET newspaper."
"He (Prime Minister Modi) also stated that every effort will be made to ensure they are punished as soon as possible, which will send a strong message to the children of the future," he further added.
"He (the PM) mentioned that regardless of what happened in which state, it has happened. Now, the emphasis is on how everyone can work together to solve this. He also said something very meaningful: even if the Opposition intends to disrupt the House, you should remain on the premises and spend more time with opposition members. Understand their pain and suffering, why they are not allowing the House to function, and what their intentions are, while maintaining a sense of friendship with them," Kishan said, before adding, "He said that the future belongs to these children. If anyone is misleading them in their youth, it is the duty of our government to continuously show them the right path."
Notably, the actor-turned-politician has often become the centre of jokes and memes over such slip-ups. Earlier, during the trailer launch of his film Maa Behen, he addressed his comments going viral, saying, "I swear on Mahadev, mujhe nahin pata main kyun viral ho jata hun. Maine âhome from work' bola tha, âjaldi the late' bola tha. Main Parliament ja raha tha, âwork from home' karna tha, âhome from work' nikal gaya."
"Mujhe log aise dekhte hain ki main kisi alag hi space se aaya hun. Main aadmi hun aur main aapki hi tarah galti karta hun. Mujhe aap log viral kyun karte ho, mujhe nahi pata," he added.
However, given the sensitivity of the issue, Ravi's slip-up sis not go well with netizens this time around. One user shared the video and wrote, "BJP MP Ravi Kishan is calling NEET exam paper the "NEET Akhbaar" (newspaper). He doesn't even know the difference between an exam question paper and a newspaper. As long as our country has leaders like these, our country cannot progress."
Anotrher commented, "ravikishann, from when NEET became a newspaper? Dude, this is Parliament and not the set of your movie. There is no retake here. So, be careful when you open your mouth," while a third user wrote, "And still many people in our country are justifying that leaders of current govt cannot do any mistake as Education Minister didn't"
One user even criticised the actor, saying, "A lawmaker who can't tell the difference between a newspaper and an exam paper is now expected to shape education policy. And we're supposed to believe the students are the problem."
