Kharge Takes a Swipe at PM Modi’s Midnight Instagram Video: “Couldn’t Sleep?” Congress Questions Centre’s Anti-Paper Leak Push

New Delhi: A heated exchange unfolded in Parliament on Thursday as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his late-night social media outreach to students during the NEET paper leak controversy, while also questioning the effectiveness of the Centre’s proposed anti-paper leak legislation.

Participating in the Rajya Sabha debate on the proposed law aimed at curbing examination paper leaks, Kharge remarked that the Prime Minister’s response came only after public outrage had intensified across the country.

Taking a sarcastic dig at PM Modi’s Instagram outreach, the Congress chief said it was unusual for a Prime Minister to address students at midnight through social media.”Who goes to Instagram at 12 midnight to address students? Only someone who couldn’t sleep,” Kharge quipped, referring to the Prime Minister’s late-night video message.

The comments were directed at a selfie-style Instagram video posted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the peak of nationwide protests triggered by alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. In the video, the Prime Minister acknowledged the concerns of students and assured them that the government would act firmly against those responsible for paper leaks.

He also announced plans to introduce a stronger legal framework against examination fraud, including provisions such as fast-track courts, stricter punishments, heavier financial penalties, and a dedicated task force to investigate such offences.

A day later, the Prime Minister returned to Instagram with another message thanking students for their suggestions and calling them “friends,” while reiterating that protecting students’ futures remained a top priority for the government.

However, Kharge argued that the government’s response was delayed and politically timed. He questioned why stronger legal measures were not introduced earlier, alleging that the Centre had been preoccupied with the 2024 Lok Sabha elections instead of addressing recurring examination irregularities.

According to the Congress leader, merely introducing a new Bill without fixing the structural problems in the examination system would not prevent future leaks.

ALSO READ : Who Are the Faces Behind the CJP Movement? Meet the IITian, Lawyer, Journalist and Farm Activist Leading India’s Gen Z Protest

He claimed that while the proposed legislation includes provisions for severe punishment, heavy fines, special investigation mechanisms, and faster trials, it does not adequately address how examinations are conducted in the first place.

“So many innocent students suffered because of repeated paper leaks,” Kharge said, adding that meaningful reforms would only come through a transparent and secure examination process rather than simply tightening legal provisions.

The Congress president further alleged that the legislation appeared to be an attempt to calm the growing anger among students following repeated paper leak incidents across the country. He maintained that unless the examination system itself undergoes significant reforms, similar controversies could continue despite tougher laws.

The debate reflects the continuing political divide over the handling of the NEET paper leak issue, which sparked nationwide protests, legal challenges, and widespread concern among lakhs of students preparing for competitive examinations.

As Parliament continues to deliberate on the proposed anti-paper leak law, the focus remains on whether the legislation will be sufficient to restore confidence in India’s examination system or whether broader institutional reforms will also be required.