BJP's Prakash Reddy Hits Back at Rahul Gandhi Over Telegram Ban

Reddy argued that the government’s decision to limit the messaging platform is a targeted effort to safeguard the NEET re-examination process, not an infringement on press freedom. He alleged that opposition leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, are exploiting the situation for political gain, claiming that roughly 22 lakh students have been unfairly impacted by what he termed media propaganda. According to the BJP leader, the government's priority remains maintaining a transparent environment for candidates.

The friction stems from the National Testing Agency's directive to restrict Telegram access through June 22, 2026. Officials maintain the platform has been a primary tool for organized cheating syndicates to defraud students. Rahul Gandhi, however, publicly mocked the strategy on X, comparing the ban to locking a victim’s door instead of apprehending the thief. Reddy countered that temporary measures are necessary to curb the irresponsibility of certain outlets and protect the integrity of the upcoming exams.