Congress Leads Protest to PM's Residence Amid NEET Paper Leak Controversy; Union Minister Engages Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi led a protest to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence on Tuesday, a day after a large student demonstration outside Parliament over examination paper leaks turned violent.
The Congress march began at Kharge's residence on Rajaji Marg and proceeded to the Prime Minister's residence on Lok Kalyan Marg, about a kilometre away. Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who holds the portfolio of Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, later visited the protest site and was seen speaking with Rahul Gandhi for several minutes.
The student-led protest on Monday, organised by a group demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over leaks in the NEET and other exams, saw police action including lathi-charge and tear gas. The students alleged that several protesters were injured. The Delhi Police, however, accused the protesters of violent behaviour, claiming that 118 police personnel were injured and that protesters attacked with stones and vandalised vehicles.
Taking to social media, Rahul Gandhi condemned the police action and demanded accountability from the government. He also called for the resignations of Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, saying, 'The Government doesn't want to take any accountability nor does it want to have a debate on it in Parliament. PM and HM must resign for destroying the future of India's youth.'
The Delhi Police deployed additional personnel at the Prime Minister's residence and began detaining Congress workers. The Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Congress of endangering the Prime Minister's security, but Congress leaders maintained that the protest was peaceful. Congress MP Manickam Tagore stated, 'The Prime Minister is not in the Parliament. He left the Parliament in a very short time yesterday as well. Where do we go to be heard? The protest is being held peacefully.'
Parliament has been adjourned early on both days of the Monsoon Session. The Congress sought to raise the issue of paper leaks and the student protest but claimed its members were denied the opportunity to speak. Congress President Kharge said, 'Today, we wanted to raise the issue of the students who were assaulted. They were lathi-charged, tear gas was used against them, they were beaten up, and many of them are now in hospitals. We wanted to raise our voice in Parliament against this injustice... This is democracy? If, in a democracy, you do not want a debate and do not want to listen to the Opposition, then where should we go?'
Student representatives held meetings with Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda on Monday, and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya visited hospitals on Tuesday to meet injured protesters. The government has indicated willingness to engage with the protesters.
