New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday intensified its attack on the Narendra Modi government over two issues, alleging irregularities in the environment ministry and demanding the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the UGC-NET examination controversy.
Addressing a press briefing, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that the removal of four aides of environment minister Bhupender Yadav pointed to a “gigantic scandal” and reflected a breakdown of accountability.
He linked the developments to decisions concerning Rajasthan’s Sariska Tiger Reserve and the proposed redefinition of the Aravalli Hills. Ramesh claimed that from June 2025, the Union environment ministry and the Rajasthan government had moved to redraw the critical tiger habitat boundary at Sariska, which he alleged could enable over 50 closed mining companies to resume operations.
He further alleged that the Forest Survey of India, in a September 2025 communication, had opposed the proposed redefinition of the Aravalli Hills, warning of potential ecological impact. According to him, the Supreme Court-mandated Central Empowered Committee and the court-appointed amicus curiae had supported this position, but the ministry continued to back the proposal.
Referring to the removal of officials in the minister’s office, Ramesh said it indicated a “complete collapse of due diligence and accountability at the very top” and described it as a “gigantic scandal”.
The Congress had earlier stated that four aides of the minister were removed within two days. As per official orders issued on July 3, the minister’s private secretary was removed on administrative grounds, while the appointment of one additional private secretary was terminated and another repatriated to his parent cadre.
The party also stepped up its criticism over the alleged leak of the UGC-NET Sociology examination conducted on June 30.
Citing media reports, Ramesh alleged that despite assurances that computer-based tests would prevent leaks after the NEET-UG controversy, the Sociology paper may have been compromised. He also referred to allegations that questions in the UGC-NET English examination had been repeated from previous years.
Alleging systemic failures, he said the National Testing Agency had become “deliberately incompetent and incapacitated” and demanded that Dharmendra Pradhan resign and that the agency be disbanded.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also criticised the government, citing reports that a confidential 100-page PDF related to the Sociology examination had been circulated prior to the test, with questions allegedly matching the paper. He accused the Centre of failing to address recurring examination issues and said students were being affected.
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