Rahul Gandhi meets kin of NEET aspirant who died by suicide after exam cancellation

Jaipur: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Wednesday met the family of 22-year-old NEET aspirant Pradeep Meghwal, who died by suicide in Rajasthan’s Sikar after the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the May 3 NEET-UG 2026 examination over an alleged paper leak.

Pradeep, a resident of Jhunjhunu district, was preparing for the medical entrance examination in Sikar, one of Rajasthan’s major coaching hubs. He died by suicide on May 15.

After meeting the family, Gandhi alleged that the student’s death reflected the failure of the country’s examination system. In a post on X, he said, “Pradeep’s death is not a suicide — it is the result of a broken and corrupt system. Those who handed over the examination system to mafias and still continue in their posts today — the Modi-Pradhan duo is answerable to this family.”

Expressing concern over increasing pressure on students, Gandhi said, “Today I met the family of Pradeep Meghwal, a promising student who died by suicide after being devastated by the NEET paper leak. Their pain cannot be described in words. A mother and father have lost their son, and they were not at fault in any way.”

“Millions of children across the country are living under the pressure of studies, competition and uncertainty about their future. When a paper leak takes place, it is not just an examination that collapses — a child’s dream and an entire family are shattered,” he added.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Bakrid wishes, messages and eid 2026