Rahul Gandhi, The political confrontation over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak intensified on Tuesday after the Delhi Police detained Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several senior Opposition leaders during a sit-in protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence at Lok Kalyan Marg. The demonstration was organised to protest the reported police action against students during the previous day’s “Sansad Chalo” march and to demand accountability over examination-related controversies.
The protest came a day after the large-scale demonstration led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi, during which protesters attempted to march towards Parliament while raising concerns over the alleged NEET paper leak and broader issues relating to India’s examination system. Congress leaders used Tuesday’s protest to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while Rahul Gandhi also called for the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the course of the agitation.
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The developments unfolded amid heightened political tensions during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, with both the government and the Opposition continuing to trade sharp allegations over examination reforms, police action, and parliamentary accountability.
Congress Leaders March Towards Prime Minister’s Residence
The protest began after senior Congress leaders assembled outside the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at 10 Rajaji Marg before marching towards 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of the Prime Minister.
The march, which covered a relatively short distance through one of Delhi’s most sensitive security zones, was organised as a symbolic demonstration against the reported police action on students protesting over alleged examination irregularities.
Along with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, several Members of Parliament and senior Congress leaders joined the protest, demanding immediate government intervention on issues relating to examination transparency and student welfare.
The demonstration quickly attracted significant political attention because of its location near the Prime Minister’s residence and the heavy security arrangements in place during Parliament’s Monsoon Session.
Delhi Police Detain Rahul Gandhi and Other Leaders
As the protest continued outside Lok Kalyan Marg, Delhi Police intervened and detained Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several Opposition leaders participating in the sit-in.
The detentions came after police repeatedly appealed to protesters to disperse and maintain order in the high-security area.
Several Congress MPs and leaders accompanying Rahul Gandhi were also taken into custody during the operation.
The detentions further escalated the political confrontation between the ruling government and the Opposition, with Congress leaders accusing authorities of suppressing democratic protests.
The Delhi Police, however, maintained that necessary security arrangements had to be enforced around the Prime Minister’s residence to ensure law and order.
Rahul Gandhi Appeals for Public Support
Before being detained, Rahul Gandhi shared a message on social media platform X, appealing to citizens to support the protest.
He stated that an attack on students represented an attack on every Indian family and alleged that the government was attempting to avoid accountability regarding the issues raised by students.
Rahul Gandhi urged citizens who believed students deserved justice to join the sit-in demonstration near the Prime Minister’s residence.
He also asserted that the concerns of students could not be ignored and reiterated his demand for greater accountability regarding the alleged examination controversies.
His message was widely shared as the protest unfolded in central Delhi.
Congress Demands Resignation of Education Minister
One of the principal demands raised by Congress during the demonstration was the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Party leaders argued that repeated controversies surrounding competitive examinations required political accountability.
According to the Congress, restoring confidence in India’s examination system would require transparent investigations and clear responsibility for alleged irregularities.
The demand has remained central to the party’s campaign over the NEET controversy.
During the protest, Rahul Gandhi also called for the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah while criticising the government’s handling of student concerns.
Randeep Singh Surjewala Calls Protest Beginning of Larger Movement
Among those detained during the demonstration was senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Following his detention, Surjewala described the protest as the beginning of a larger political movement.
He stated that detentions, police action, or alleged mistreatment would not discourage the Opposition from raising issues affecting students.
According to him, the controversy surrounding examination paper leaks had affected the future of millions of young people, and the movement would continue until accountability was established.
Surjewala also expressed confidence that the campaign would continue under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership.
Opposition Leaders Join the Demonstration
The protest witnessed participation from leaders representing multiple opposition parties.
Among those present were NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, senior Congress leader KC Venugopal, and other prominent political figures.
Their participation highlighted the growing opposition unity over issues relating to examination reforms and student welfare.
The demonstration reflected a broader effort by opposition parties to present the controversy as a matter of national concern rather than a purely political dispute.
DK Shivakumar Says Protest Will Continue
Speaking during the protest, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar criticised the detention of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
He stated that the Opposition was fighting for justice for students and wanted Parliament to discuss the issues surrounding the alleged examination irregularities.
According to Shivakumar, more than one hundred Members of Parliament were associated with the movement and were not afraid of arrest.
He maintained that the campaign would continue until justice was delivered to students.
His remarks reinforced the Congress position that the protest would remain active despite police intervention.
Congress Alleges Leaders Were Manhandled
Congress leader Pawan Khera also reacted strongly following the detentions.
He alleged that Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other leaders had been manhandled during the police action.
The Congress accused authorities of adopting unnecessary force while dealing with elected representatives engaged in a peaceful protest.
Police officials, however, continued maintaining that security arrangements were implemented according to established procedures.
The contrasting claims from both sides further intensified political debate surrounding the incident.
Government Sends Jitendra Singh for Talks
Before the detentions took place, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendra Singh visited the protest site to engage with Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders.
The government stated that Singh had been assigned the responsibility of initiating dialogue with the protesting delegation.
Accompanied by senior officials, including the Union Home Secretary, Singh appealed to Rahul Gandhi to suspend the protest and instead discuss the issues through institutional channels.
According to the minister, the government believed dialogue would provide a more constructive approach than demonstrations in a high-security area.
Government Offers Parliamentary Discussion
After meeting Rahul Gandhi, Jitendra Singh stated that the government was prepared to hold a detailed discussion in Parliament regarding the NEET examination and issues relating to alleged paper leaks.
According to him, he had consulted the government’s top leadership before conveying the assurance to Rahul Gandhi.
Singh said Rahul Gandhi initially indicated that he would suspend the protest if the government agreed to a parliamentary discussion.
The minister described the government’s response as an effort to address the concerns raised by the Opposition through democratic parliamentary procedures.
Disagreement Over Education Minister’s Resignation
According to Jitendra Singh, the discussions later encountered difficulties after Rahul Gandhi reportedly insisted that the resignation of the Union Education Minister should also form part of the government’s assurances.
The minister stated that he attempted to persuade Rahul Gandhi that changing the demands after receiving assurances regarding parliamentary discussion was not appropriate.
Singh remarked that the government had made a sincere effort to resolve the matter through dialogue but could not reach an agreement with the protesting leaders.
He described the outcome as unfortunate and expressed disappointment over the inability to conclude the discussions successfully.
Pappu Yadav Criticises Government
Independent Member of Parliament Pappu Yadav also criticised the government’s handling of the protest.
He alleged that authorities lacked the willingness to hear the concerns raised by students and opposition leaders.
According to Yadav, Rahul Gandhi and the broader Opposition were raising issues that directly affected the future of students across the country.
He argued that democratic protests should be addressed through discussion rather than force and maintained that opposition parties would continue speaking on behalf of students.
Rahul Gandhi Condemns Police Action Against Students
Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi criticised the police action against students protesting at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Speaking outside Parliament, he questioned why force had been used against demonstrators and called upon the Prime Minister to apologise.
Rahul Gandhi argued that students were protesting against what he described as shortcomings in the education system and therefore deserved dialogue instead of police action.
He urged the government to focus on addressing the underlying issues affecting the examination system rather than responding through force.
Background of the Student Protest
The current political confrontation stems from demonstrations organised over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process.
The Cockroach Janta Party led the “Sansad Chalo” campaign, during which protesters attempted to march towards Parliament demanding examination reforms, transparency, and accountability.
During Monday’s protest, Delhi Police used crowd-control measures after sections of demonstrators allegedly attempted to cross security barricades.
The CJP alleged that several protesters sustained injuries during the police action.
Delhi Police, however, maintained that protesters had turned aggressive and that necessary measures were taken to maintain law and order.
Political Debate Continues
The detentions of Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders have further intensified political debate surrounding examination reforms and democratic protests.
While opposition parties continue demanding accountability regarding alleged paper leaks and police action, the government maintains that Parliament remains the appropriate forum for discussing these issues.
With the Monsoon Session continuing, the controversy is expected to remain a major political issue both inside and outside Parliament.
Political observers believe further discussions between the government and the Opposition may determine the future direction of the ongoing agitation.
The detention of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several opposition leaders during their protest near the Prime Minister’s residence has added a new dimension to the ongoing political confrontation over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and examination reforms. While the Congress continues demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accountability for the reported police action against students, and broader reforms in the education system, the government has maintained that it is prepared to discuss the issue in Parliament and has defended its efforts to engage the Opposition through dialogue. As political tensions continue to rise during the Monsoon Session, the controversy remains at the centre of national debate, with both sides standing firm on their respective positions.
