New Delhi: A political war of words erupted on Wednesday after Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence in support of students demanding action over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Rahul Gandhi called upon what he described as every "patriotic Indian" to join the protest, saying students deserved justice and accountability. According to sources, the Congress leader intended to continue the demonstration overnight, marking a significant escalation in the opposition's campaign over the issue.
During the protest, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Jitendra Singh, was seen interacting with Rahul Gandhi at the protest site as the government's representative.
AAP Accuses Congress of Diverting the Protest
The move, however, drew sharp criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which alleged that Rahul Gandhi's protest was diverting attention from the ongoing student-led demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.
AAP leader Somnath Bharti claimed that if Rahul Gandhi genuinely wanted to support students, he should have joined them at Jantar Mantar rather than holding a separate protest outside the Prime Minister's residence.
AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj also criticised the Congress leader, alleging that government representatives responded more quickly to Rahul Gandhi's protest than to the student movement that had been continuing for weeks.
Rahul Gandhi Detained During Protest
A few hours after the protest began, Delhi Police detained Rahul Gandhi and removed him from the protest site. Videos circulating on social media showed police escorting him away, further intensifying the political confrontation between the opposition and the government.
Student Protest Continues at Jantar Mantar
Meanwhile, protesters associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said they would continue their sit-in at Jantar Mantar, despite heavy police deployment.
The movement, which began as a satirical campaign before evolving into a broader student-led protest, has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process.
Organisers stated that they would continue their demonstration until their demands were addressed.
Protest Gains Momentum
The agitation gathered further attention after activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had reportedly been on a hunger strike, was taken to a hospital by police. Videos showing clashes between protesters and security personnel circulated widely on social media, drawing strong reactions from various political parties and civil society groups.
According to Delhi Police, nearly 180 people sustained injuries during the clashes, including 118 security personnel and around 60 protesters.
Political Tensions Continue
The latest developments have intensified the political debate surrounding the student protests, with the Congress and AAP accusing each other of weakening the movement, while the BJP has defended the government's handling of the situation.
As protests continue in the national capital, all eyes remain on the government's next response and whether further dialogue with student representatives will take place.
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