New Delhi: Breaking his silence over the nationwide outrage surrounding the NEET paper leak, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Thursday said he had deliberately refrained from issuing “media soundbites” because the issue required institutional reforms, not political rhetoric.
Participating in the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Chadha said his role had changed after moving from the Opposition to the treasury benches, shifting his focus from raising questions to delivering solutions.
“Earlier, when I was in the Opposition, it was my job to ask questions, and I did so sincerely. Now I sit on the treasury benches, my responsibility is no longer to ask questions but to provide solutions,” Chadha said.
Responding to criticism over his silence during the controversy, the 37-year-old parliamentarian said he chose to speak only when a concrete framework to tackle paper leaks was ready.
“I don’t need headlines or television soundbites. I had promised myself that I would speak on this issue in Parliament only when we could offer a solution and when the system was being fixed. Today is that historic day,” he said.
Chadha argued that the paper leak crisis could not be resolved through “media soundbites” and stressed that structural reforms were essential to restore public confidence in India’s examination system.
Acknowledging the anger and anxiety of students affected by the alleged NEET paper leak, he said their frustration was entirely justified.
“Your anger is justified. Your emotions are justified. Your pain is justified,” Chadha said.
Highlighting the sacrifices made by aspirants and their families, he noted that lakhs of students leave their homes for coaching hubs such as Kota and Delhi, give up their social lives and spend years preparing for competitive examinations.
“For many students, clearing NEET is not just about securing a medical seat; it is the gateway to a better future for their families,” he said.
