Rahul Gandhi Defends Protest Near PM Residence
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said his party protested near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence because the government showed no interest in allowing a parliamentary debate on the NEET controversy and police action against demonstrators. The government rejected the allegation and said it remained willing to discuss the matter.
Rahul Gandhi Seeks NEET Debate
Gandhi said he met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and requested a discussion on the police action during the student-led protest in Delhi. According to Gandhi, developments in Parliament later indicated that the government was unwilling to permit the debate.
Congress leaders subsequently marched to Lok Kalyan Marg and staged a sit-in near the Prime Minister’s residence. Gandhi said the demonstration was intended to draw national attention to students’ concerns regarding examination paper leaks, education costs and accountability.
Congress Leaders Detained in Delhi
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several party leaders joined the protest. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also participated.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh met Gandhi at the protest site and asked the leaders to end their demonstration. Talks failed to produce an agreement, after which Delhi Police removed and briefly detained several opposition leaders.
Congress demanded accountability for the police action during the earlier protest and sought resignations from senior government figures.
Government Rejects Congress Allegations
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused Congress of using students for political purposes and choosing confrontation over parliamentary discussion. He said the government was fully prepared to debate NEET and address legitimate concerns raised by students.
Pradhan also criticised the protest for allegedly inconveniencing the public and disregarding security protocols around the Prime Minister’s residence.
The political confrontation follows continuing demonstrations over alleged examination irregularities and demands for reforms in India’s testing system.
