Political tensions intensified in the national capital on Tuesday after Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with several senior Opposition leaders, was detained during a protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
The demonstration was organised to protest against the alleged examination paper leak controversy and the police action taken against protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) march towards Parliament a day earlier.
Visuals from the protest site showed Delhi Police escorting Rahul Gandhi into a police vehicle after he and other Congress leaders attempted to continue their march despite security restrictions in the area.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who arrived at the venue to support the Congress protest, was also detained during the police action as authorities prevented demonstrators from moving closer to the Prime Minister’s residence.
The protest was led by Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, with the party demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and the handling of student demonstrations.
Congress leaders also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that the government had failed to protect students and respond adequately to concerns over the examination controversy.
As protesters attempted to advance towards Lok Kalyan Marg, heavy deployment of Delhi Police and security personnel blocked their movement. A brief standoff followed before police detained several Opposition MPs and party workers, transporting them away from the protest site in buses.
The arrival of Akhilesh Yadav further strengthened the Opposition’s show of unity, with leaders from multiple parties backing the demonstration against the Centre’s handling of the issue.
The protest comes amid escalating political confrontation over the NEET controversy, with Opposition parties continuing to demand a discussion in Parliament, action against those responsible for the alleged examination irregularities and accountability for the police action against protesters.
Q1. Why were Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav detained?
They were detained by Delhi Police while protesting near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence over the NEET controversy and police action against protesters.
Q2. What were the Congress leaders demanding?
The Congress demanded accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and called for the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Q3. Where did the protest take place?
The protest was held near 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Q4. Which leaders participated in the protest?
Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav were among the prominent leaders present.
Q5. Why has the Opposition intensified its protests?
Opposition parties have accused the Centre of failing to address concerns over the NEET controversy and have criticised the police action against protesters.
