• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi detained during NEET protest.
  2. Opposition leaders join Jantar Mantar agitation against NEET leak.
  3. Government offers Parliament debate on NEET exam issues.

NEET Paper Leak Protests: The last two days have been volatile in the month-long protest at Jantar Mantar, called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), against the NEET paper leak, demanding reforms in the education system. On Monday, CJP protesters created headlines after they attempted to hold a march to Parliament, prompting the Delhi Police to resort to a lathi charge and fire tear gas, leaving several injured. However, on Tuesday, it was a day of political activism. Senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Arivind Kejriwal-led AAP's delegation and NCP-SP Sharad Pawar, were seen in action.

Rahul, Priyanka And Other Congress Leaders Hold Sit-In Near PM Residence

Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi staged a sit-in protest by tying their hands with plastic strings outside the Prime Minister's residence on Tuesday afternoon, dramatically ended with their detention and later release. Videos emerged in which Rahul Gandhi was seen being forcefully taken to a police vehicle. Priyanka Gandhi was also detained similarly.

After a few hours, Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, along with several other leaders, were released from detention after Delhi Police's action over the party's protest at Lok Kalyan Marg, demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

ALSO READ: Rahul, Priyanka Take NEET Paper Leak Heat At PM's Doorstep As Centre Battles CJP Fallout | Details

Akhilesh Yadav Also Detained

Along with Rahul, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and several opposition leaders were also detained. Later, they were released from Chhatrasal Stadium, where they were brought under detention.

Sonia Gandhi Reaches Police Station

After her children and party colleagues were detained, senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi reached the Mandir Marg police station. Hundreds of Congress protestors were on the spot, sloganeering against the government.

Government Tells Rahul It Is Ready For Debate In Parliament

Before police action, the government said it is ready to discuss all issues relating to the NEET exam and the movement associated with it in Parliament, after Congress leaders sat on a dharna outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence. Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, who along with Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan met Gandhi and urged him to end his sit-in, alleged that the LoP "backtracked" from his earlier demand for a debate and said it does not befit a leader of his stature. Singh said Rahul Gandhi did not agree to his request and instead demanded that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan must also resign.

ALSO READ: 'Rahul Gandhi Chose Spectacle Instead Of Debate': Dharmendra Pradhan On PM Residence Protest Amid Resignation Demands

Pradhan Reacts To Congress' Sit-In

Dharmendra Pradhan, who is the centre of the storm, has reacted to the Congress protest, accusing Rahul Gandhi and Congress of exploiting students as political tools to manufacture disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

"LoP Shri @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia continue to shamelessly exploit students as political tools to manufacture disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Shri @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia chose to stage a dharna outside the Hon'ble Prime Minister's residence, causing inconvenience to the public and disregarding established security protocols," he said in a note on X.

AAP Attacks Congress

AAP alleged that Congress is trying to hijack CJP's protest, highlighting a divide in the Opposition over the paper leak issue.

ALSO READ: Administrative Negligence And Late Response: How Delhi Became A Hotbed Of Protests | Inside Story

Kejriwal Meets CJP Protesters At Jantar Mantar

Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal reached the Jantar Mantar protest site and expressed solidarity with the CJP protesters, claiming that they forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to yield. Addressing the supporters, the former Delhi chief minister also assured full legal aid to the protesters who were detained during their ''Chalo Sansad'' protest on Monday. He was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Atishi.

Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule Arrive At Jantar Mantar

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar and MP Supriya Sule also arrived at the Jantar Mantar protest site, where the CJP is continuing its protest against the NEET-UG paper leak. NCP(SCP) has extended its support to the call for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Pawar urged the Centre to "sensitively consider the demands" and take appropriate action.

(With Agencies Inputs)


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