Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to students over the police crackdown during the July 20 ‘Chalo Sansad’ protest against alleged NEET-UG paper leak irregularities. He also sought the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Congress leader made the remarks after Opposition MPs staged a sit-in near the Prime Minister’s residence, accusing the government of refusing to allow a discussion in Parliament on the alleged use of force against student protesters. The demonstrators were later detained by the Delhi Police.
In a video recorded during his detention at Chhatrasal Stadium, Rahul Gandhi said he had requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to permit a debate on the issue.
“I told the Speaker that it was important to discuss what happened to the students. It was clear to us that the government was not interested in allowing such a discussion,” Gandhi said.
He added that the Opposition decided to protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence to draw national attention to the concerns raised by students and the alleged police action against them.
Calls for accountability
Rahul Gandhi demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the examination system and Home Minister Amit Shah over the police response to the protests.
He also called for action against those responsible for the alleged assault on protesters and urged the government to withdraw all cases registered against students.
Questioning the country’s education system, Gandhi said students and their families deserved answers on repeated examination paper leaks and the rising cost of education.
“Why is the education system collapsing? Why are question papers leaking? Why is education becoming so expensive? These are legitimate questions that deserve answers,” he said.
Addressing Prime Minister Modi, Gandhi urged the government to initiate reforms in the examination and education systems while apologising to students over the events during the protest.
Opposition leaders detained
Several Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule and Congress leader Pawan Khera, joined the protest.
The sit-in continued for over three hours before Delhi Police detained the leaders. Rahul Gandhi was released from Chhatrasal Stadium later in the evening, while Priyanka Gandhi was released from Mandir Marg police station.
What happened during the CJP protest?
The ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on July 20, witnessed thousands of protesters marching from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, demanding examination reforms and action over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.
Police stopped the procession using multiple barricades. Tear gas shells were fired after some protesters attempted to breach security arrangements. Police also used lathi-charge to disperse sections of the crowd, while authorities alleged that some protesters resorted to stone pelting.
According to hospital officials quoted in reports, around 100 protesters received treatment for injuries. Delhi Police stated that nearly 60 people were injured during the clashes. A 22-year-old woman injured during the protest continues to receive treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
Government responds
Responding to the Opposition’s allegations, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Congress of politicising the issue.
In a post on X, Pradhan said the government remained willing to discuss the NEET issue and address students’ concerns in Parliament.
“Our government is fully committed to discussing NEET and addressing every genuine concern of our youth. Students deserve certainty, solutions and accountability,” he said.
The minister added that the government was focused on implementing reforms rather than engaging in political confrontation.
Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested 13 people in connection with the alleged NEET-UG paper leak case.
