Hyderabad: Hyderabad Lok Sabha Congress in-charge Mohammed Waliullah Sameer on Monday said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had set a national example by personally leading protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. He described the Revanth Reddy NEET protest as an unprecedented stand for students. Sameer said no other Chief Minister had taken to the streets over examination irregularities.
According to Sameer, the Chief Minister treated the issue as a constitutional and moral responsibility. He said many leaders only issued statements. In contrast, Revanth Reddy joined students in protest and repeatedly demanded accountability from the Union Government.
The Congress leader said Revanth Reddy immediately condemned the cancellation of the NEET examination after allegations of a paper leak surfaced. He demanded a transparent investigation. He also sought strict punishment for those responsible and reforms to prevent similar incidents.
Sameer also criticised the reported police action against peaceful student protesters in New Delhi. He said the Chief Minister opposed the use of force. He added that Revanth Reddy had consistently defended the democratic right to protest.
Revanth Reddy NEET protest reflected youth focus
Sameer said the Revanth Reddy NEET protest reflected the Telangana Government’s wider commitment to young people. He said the government filled more than 70,000 vacancies across departments within a short period after assuming office. The administration also expanded job opportunities and improved transparency in recruitment.
He welcomed Revanth Reddy’s proposal to reduce the minimum age for contesting Assembly and Lok Sabha elections from 25 years to 21 years. Sameer said the government would convene a special Assembly session in the first week of August to pass a resolution on the proposal. He quoted the Chief Minister as saying that a 21-year-old could qualify as an IAS officer or contest local body elections. Therefore, the same person should also have the right to contest Assembly and Parliamentary elections.
Sameer also said sustained pressure from students and Opposition parties led to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. However, he called for further reforms. He urged the Centre to strengthen the examination system, punish those behind paper leaks, withdraw cases against peaceful protesters and restore public confidence in national examinations.
