Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over restrictions linked to Telegram in the context of NEET-UG paper leak concerns, alleging that the government was targeting students instead of addressing the "paper leak mafia". This comes after the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday restricted access to the Telegram platform in India for a defined and limited period ending 22 June 2026, covering the day of the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination and its immediate aftermath. In a post on X, Gandhi said, "'Telegram Ban' - Modi Government's New Trick to Stop Paper Leaks. Meaning, instead of catching the thief, just hang a lock on the victim's door." He further emphasised that millions of students were studying on Telegram for years and "snatching the facility is not a solution" to paper leaks. "Millions of students have been studying on Telegram for years - notes, test series, discussions, preparation. How does snatching that facility become the solution to paper leaks?" the post read. Questioning the effectiveness of such steps, he wrote, "And it's not even foolproof - every student in the country knows this, and so does the paper leak mafia. So, who will the next ban be on? WhatsApp?" Taking a swipe at exam-day arrangements, Gandhi said, "On exam day, students will be frisked. Pockets will be cut open with scissors. Question papers will be sent via the Air Force. There won't be any shortage of theatrics. But not a single strike at the root of the disease - because the paper leak mafia is thriving under this very government's watch, and making the youth cry tears of blood." He further said, "Modi Ji - drop the theatrics. Strike at the mafia, not the students. Listen to the 'Echo of Students' - or else the youth of the country knows how to claim their rights." The remarks come after the Centre had ordered the blocking of Telegram following a request from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which alleged that the platform was being used by organised cheating rackets to mislead and defraud candidates appearing for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled on June 21. Meanwhile, Telegram has approached the Delhi High Court, challenging the Central government's decision to temporarily block its operations in India until June 22 in connection with the upcoming NEET-UG 2026 re-examination. The matter was mentioned on an urgent basis before a vacation bench of Justice Tejas Karia by Advocate Madhav Khosla. The Court agreed to hear the plea later in the day.