13 July,2026 02:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. File Pic
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the country's education system, alleging that it had become a "dishonest extortion mechanism" and calling for a "Revolution in education".
In a post on X, the Congress leader claimed that students across the country viewed India's education system as "corrupt, unjust, biased and dishonest".
"'Corrupt, unjust, biased, dishonest' - these four words are not mine, these are what the country's students are using today for India's education system," Gandhi said.
"And the truth is this - India's education system has now become a dishonest extortion mechanism. The system that was meant to prepare children for their future is today pushing them and their families into debt, stress, and despair," he added.
Gandhi alleged that corruption in the education sector had given rise to a "paper leak mafia" that destroyed the hard work of millions of students preparing for competitive examinations.
"It is this corruption that has given birth to the paper leak mafia, which robs years of hard work from millions of preparing students in one fell swoop. Here, guilty vendors and officials get tenders and promotions. And who gets the punishment? The students, who are left alone with their shattered dreams," he said.
The Congress Member of Parliament (MP) also accused the Narendra Modi-led government and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of remaining silent on the issue.
"The Modi government and the Education Minister are watching all this. But they have chosen silence - turning their face away from accountability. And in the media? Just a long silence," Gandhi said.
Calling for reforms, Gandhi said it was "time for a Revolution in education" and urged people to join him at an event in Dehradun on July 17.
"Enough is enough now - now is the time for a Revolution in education. 17 July, Dehradun - Come with me, let's amplify the 'Echo of Students' even further," he said.
Meanwhile on Monday, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Centre and state governments to formulate a standard investigation procedure for paper leak cases and ensure time-bound investigations and speedy trials across the country, news agency IANS reported.
The petition, filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, also sought directions for the assessment and confiscation of the properties of alleged paper leak perpetrators and stronger enforcement of laws dealing with corruption, money laundering and benami assets.
The plea contended that recurring paper leaks have nationwide ramifications, severely affecting students and their families, and sought measures to strengthen investigations and prosecution in such cases.
(With IANS inputs)
