'First it hurt me, later I took advantage': Sitharaman's paper leak remarks spark political row

NEW DELHI: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has come under fire over her remarks on the NEET paper leak controversy after she said some students had used the additional time before the re-examination to improve their performance. The remarks drew sharp criticism from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and Opposition leaders, who accused her of being "insensitive" to students impacted by the alleged leaks.Speaking to news agency ANI, Sitharaman defended the government's handling of the paper leak controversy, saying its response had ensured timely arrests, re-examinations and declaration of results.Sitharaman said the government's response included timely arrests, a re-examination and prompt declaration of results. She said some students had used the additional preparation time to improve their performance, adding, "First it sort of hurt me when the paper leakages happened but later I took advantage of that and prepared even more and my performance has improved and I've done well." She added that such students had "taken this challenge and faced this, and come out bright in bright colours," while asserting that "the government is responding, PM is responding."Sitharaman also accused the Congress of disrupting Parliament despite the government's willingness to discuss the issue.The FM also accused the Congress of disrupting Parliament despite the government's willingness to hold a discussion on the issue. She said the government had agreed to the Opposition's demand for a debate, but the opposition keeps disrupting the house. "The government is willing to have full-fledged discussion in the House, come discuss," she said, accusing the Congress of "disruption of the House" because "the truth will come out, and the government's actions will be placed before the House. They don't want a fair discussion."The remarks come as thousands of students have been protesting for weeks over the alleged NEET paper leaks, with demonstrations centred at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and echoed in several parts of the country. On July 20, protesters marching towards Parliament were lathi-charged and tear-gassed by police and the rapid action force, leaving several students as well as security personnel injured.The government has since reached out to protesters, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi promising strict action against those responsible for paper leaks and Union ministers holding talks with activist Sonam Wangchuk and the representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party.The CJP strongly objected to Sitharaman's remarks, arguing that they trivialised the impact of the controversy on students.The remarks also triggered widespread reactions on social media, with several users criticising Sitharaman's comments as 'deeply insensitive', while accusing the government of downplaying the impact of the paper leak controversy on students.Reacting to her statement, CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka said, "By this logic, every paper in this country should get leaked."In a post on X, the organisation's official handle wrote, "The Finance Minister is claiming NEET students took advantage of the paper leak and worked harder for the re-NEET.Now we're extolling the virtues of paper leaks? This is a shockingly insensitive comment when 20 students have died by suicide because of YOUR incompetence! Shame."The remarks also drew sharp reactions from Opposition leaders. Congress leader Supriya Shrinate took a swipe at Sitharaman, asking her to "please list the benefits" for the 22 students who allegedly died by suicide following the paper leak controversy. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also reacted on X, writing, "Honestly this entire Cabinet should resign."Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.