BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Thursday defended his decision not to publicly comment on the student protests which erupted over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak, saying his responsibilities had fundamentally changed after he moved from the Opposition to the Treasury Benches.
Chadha, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) months ago after leaving the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), addressed the criticism which he faced over his silence during the debate in the Upper House on the new legislation aimed at curbing exam paper leaks.
BJP MP Raghav Chadha
The young parliamentarian, who has previously drawn eyeballs for raising issues affecting students, the middle class persons, gig workers and everyday consumers, had faced flak on social media for not speaking out while scores of students protested in the national capital over the NEET paper leak 2026.
“Now I must deliver solutions”: Chadha
Responding to his critics, Chadha said his political role had evolved after joining the ruling alliance. He said during the Rajya Sabha debate, “Earlier, when I was in the Opposition, it was my job to raise questions, and I did it honestly. Now I am on the Treasury Benches, so my role has changed. My responsibility is no longer to ask questions but to provide solutions.”
He further opined that his focus was not on attracting the attention of the media or making symbolic interventions.
As per the BJP MP, he had deliberately chosen to remain silent on the controversy until the government was ready with concrete measures to address the issue.
He asserted, “I had made a promise to myself that I would speak about the matter in Parliament only when we could bring a solution and when the system was being fixed. And today is that historic day when the system is being fixed.”
Chadha lauds new anti-paper leak bill
Chadha welcomed the Centre’s decision to introduce a stricter legal framework to keep examination paper leaks at bay. He argued that systemic reforms, rather than political rhetoric, were essential to restore the confidence of the general public in the country’s examination process.
He said, “Just like cancer cannot be treated with Crocin, the paper leak menace cannot be controlled by mere soundbites. We need institutional reform, which our government has initiated.”
His remarks came during the parliamentary discussion on the new anti-paper leak bill, which the Union government has projected as a major step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in public exams.
Parliamentarian commends PM Modi’s response to students’ concerns
The Parliamentarian also commended Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, saying the Centre had responded positively to the concerns raised by the students affected by the NEET UG 2026 paper leak. Addressing students directly, he said, “To every NEET student watching this; your anger is justified, your pain is real, your complaint against the system is genuine.”
He also said the PM had listened to the students’ grievances not just as a senior political leader but also as a guardian, just as the head of a family listens. Concluding his address, Chadha maintained that the Union government had taken a decisive step in response to the concerns of the commoners. He said, “Students demanded, the government acted, and historic decisions have been taken.”