Political Row Erupts After Rahul Gandhi Leads Protest March to PM’s Residence Over Exam Irregularities

A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led a march to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp counteroffensive on Wednesday, accusing the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition of disregarding the dignity of the Prime Minister’s residence. The BJP also announced nationwide protests against the Congress party.

Senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, addressing a press conference in New Delhi, criticised Gandhi’s actions, saying, “He is sitting on a dharna at the gate of the Prime Minister’s residence. His father Rajiv Gandhi was Prime Minister, his grandmother Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister, and his great-grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru was also Prime Minister of India. He, of all people, should know the dignity and sanctity of the Prime Minister’s residence. Despite this, the kind of irresponsible behaviour he has displayed is highly condemnable.”

Prasad questioned Gandhi’s approach, asking, “Does this country run on your arrogance?” He accused the Congress leader of abandoning dialogue and trying to dictate terms to the government, noting that the government was ready for a debate on the NEET issue but Gandhi backed out.

The BJP leader defended the police action during the protest, stating that security personnel had no option but to intervene to maintain law and order in the high-security zone. “The police were forced to take action, which was necessary for security and for maintaining peace. The Prime Minister has always been clear on these issues,” Prasad said.

Shifting focus to the controversy surrounding competitive examinations, Prasad asserted that the government had acted swiftly to protect the integrity of recruitment and entrance tests. “In the past, irregularities were reported in several states during various examinations. Consequently, foolproof exams were conducted immediately after cancellations. The results have been declared with a 56-57% success rate, and students are satisfied. These exams were held without charging any additional fees,” he told reporters.

Emphasising the Centre’s commitment to students, Prasad said those responsible for exam irregularities had been arrested and were facing trial. “All the candidates appearing for NEET and other exams are our children. It is our duty to be concerned about their future, and we will fulfill that responsibility. Those involved in irregularities have been arrested and are facing trial. The government is ensuring that their trial leads to certain punishment,” he said.

The BJP’s attack came after Gandhi led the Opposition’s march towards Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of the Prime Minister, on Tuesday. Protesters came face-to-face with security personnel in the high-security Lutyens’ Delhi zone, and videos showed police moving in to disperse the crowd. The march was part of ongoing protests by opposition parties over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 examination, which they claim have affected students’ futures.

The Congress party has defended the march, stating that it was a peaceful protest to demand a fair investigation into the exam irregularities. Party leaders have accused the government of failing to address the concerns of students and of using police force to suppress dissent.