"Unjust system": Rahul Gandhi blames Centre for tragic loss of 2 students over NEET re-examination

Umesh and Riya. Yesterday, Umesh in Sikar and Riya in Dehradun--both ended their lives under the pressure of Re-NEET. 22- and 23-year-old kids--who were meant to soar in the open skies of their dreams--lost to this unjust system," Gandhi said.

In a commencement to his nationwide "Echo of Students" campaign, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday addressed the issues regarding the re-examination of NEET after the alleged suicide of two aspirants in Sikar and Dehradun. In a message shared on the social media platform X, Gandhi mourned the recent tragic loss of two young lives--Umesh in Sikar and Riya in Dehradun--who died allegedly by suicide amid the "pressure" surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination.

"I've set out for Kota, but two names are echoing in my heart: Umesh and Riya. Yesterday, Umesh in Sikar and Riya in Dehradun--both ended their lives under the pressure of Re-NEET. 22- and 23-year-old kids--who were meant to soar in the open skies of their dreams--lost to this unjust system," Gandhi said. Calling the deaths, a result of an "unjust, broken, and corrupt system" that has failed to protect its youth, Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the Union government.

"These deaths are the result of a broken, corrupt system. And the ones responsible are the Modi government and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who, instead of protecting students, have repeatedly shielded paper leaks, exam mismanagement, and the destroyers of futures," he added. He further said he would begin a campaign from Kota aimed at preventing such incidents and called for a nationwide movement under the banner of "Echo of Students."

"Today, from Kota, we will begin that fight with just one goal--that no child's dreams shatter like this again, that no parent ever has to lose their child in this way again. Every family's pain will now echo across the country as the 'Echo of Students.'" Previously in the day, Gandhi called on students and young people across the country to unite and participate in the "Echo of Students" mega rally in Kota on June 17, saying that the future of the youth would determine the future of the nation.

The protest is going to start at 5:30 pm in Kota. In a post on X, Gandhi alleged that paper leaks, exam mismanagement, cancelled recruitments, rising fees, privatisation and scams were shattering the dreams of millions of young Indians.

He also accused the Central government of failing to fulfil its responsibility towards the country's youth. "My young and Gen Z comrades, one thing is clear in my mind, and you too should etch it in your heart: securing the future of every youth in India is the government's responsibility. But responsibility and honesty--both are beyond the Modi government's way of thinking," Gandhi said.

"Paper leaks, exam mismanagement, cancelled recruitments, skyrocketing fees, privatisation, scams--these are the very tools with which it is shattering millions of dreams every day. Remember, the youth's future will determine the nation's future. This is what I wanted to tell you all in detail. That's why I'm calling on you--let's turn the rising 'Echo of Students' from every street, every town, every city of the country into a battle cry in Kota. June 17 | Echo of Students | Kota Mega Rally," the post read. (ANI)