‘PM Enjoys Playing the Victim Card’: Jairam Ramesh Demands Modi’s Apology Over NEET, Ram Mandir Trust Row and Demonetisation

A fresh political war of words erupted on Saturday after Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “playing the victim card” and demanded that he apologise over several contentious issues, including the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, the Ram Mandir Trust donation controversy and the 2016 demonetisation exercise.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ramesh alleged that the Prime Minister routinely criticised political opponents while portraying himself as a victim.”The self-declared non-biological PM enjoys playing the victim card. He uses vile vitriol against his predecessors and political opponents,” Ramesh wrote, while accusing the Prime Minister of spreading misinformation and shielding those who attack his critics.

Congress targets Centre over NEET-UG controversy

Ramesh also criticised the Centre over the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) and the police action against students during recent protests.

He claimed that students across the country had suffered due to repeated examination-related controversies and alleged that the government’s handling of the issue had caused widespread distress among aspirants.

According to Ramesh, the Prime Minister should apologise for what he described as the trauma caused by the alleged paper leak and the treatment of protesting students.

Ram Mandir Trust and demonetisation also raised

The Congress leader further referred to the controversy surrounding donations to the Ram Mandir Trust, alleging that the Prime Minister should also apologise over the issue.

He additionally revived the Opposition’s criticism of the Centre’s November 8, 2016 demonetisation decision, describing it as a move that adversely affected livelihoods and small businesses.

The Congress has consistently maintained that demonetisation caused significant economic disruption, while the government has defended the policy as a step against black money, counterfeit currency and terror financing.

Remarks come after PM Modi’s message to students

Jairam Ramesh’s comments came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a video message responding to the recent Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar.

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In the message, the Prime Minister said he had forgiven students accused of using abusive language against him during the protest and urged society to guide young people rather than punish them.

Reacting to those remarks, Ramesh described the Prime Minister’s statement as “an act of supreme self-obsession.”

He argued that it was the government, rather than students, that owed an apology to the nation over issues including examination controversies and other policy decisions.

Political sparring continues

The exchange marks the latest confrontation between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress ahead of upcoming political battles, with both sides continuing to trade sharp criticism over governance, education and economic issues.

The central government has not immediately issued a fresh response to Ramesh’s latest remarks.