Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 21: A day after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led the 'Sansad Chalo' protest in the national capital, senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, held a sit-in protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence on Tuesday, condemning the police action against protesting students.
The Congress also reiterated its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him accountable for the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG paper leak case.
The protest began outside Kharge's residence at 10, Rajaji Marg, from where Congress leaders and workers marched towards the Prime Minister's residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, located about a kilometre away.
Addressing the protest, Rahul Gandhi accused the government of avoiding accountability over the police action and alleged that it was unwilling to allow a discussion on the issue in Parliament.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said the Congress had marched to the Prime Minister's residence seeking answers over what he described as the police's treatment of students during Monday's demonstration.
He further demanded the resignation of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that the government had failed to protect the interests of the country's youth.
Earlier in the day, speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi strongly criticised the police action against students protesting at Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak issue.
He said students were raising legitimate concerns about what he described as flaws in the country's education system and argued that responding with force was unacceptable.
The Congress leader urged the Prime Minister to publicly address the issue, apologise for the police action and initiate meaningful reforms to restore confidence in the examination system.
The controversy follows Monday's confrontation in Delhi, where large numbers of students and CJP supporters marching towards Parliament were stopped by police. The CJP alleged that several protesters were injured after security personnel used batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The Delhi Police, however, defended its actions, stating that protesters had turned aggressive, displayed violent behaviour and created a law-and-order situation that necessitated police intervention.