Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were released on Tuesday, hours after police detained them during a sit-in outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence in New Delhi.
Rahul Gandhi was taken to Chhatrasal Stadium with several opposition figures, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and some women leaders were held separately. Police released the detained politicians after roughly three hours.
The protest at Lok Kalyan Marg marked a sharp escalation in the opposition’s campaign against the Union government over alleged failures in the examination system and Monday’s police action against youth demonstrators. Congress leaders accused the authorities of using excessive force against students demanding accountability over paper leaks, examination irregularities and delays affecting recruitment and admissions.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party parliamentarians joined the demonstration near the heavily secured prime ministerial residence. Protesters raised slogans demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Police moved to clear the gathering after opposition leaders remained seated on the road despite negotiations with officials. Videos released by Congress showed security personnel lifting Rahul Gandhi from the protest site and carrying him towards a bus. Photographs circulated later appeared to show him with a nosebleed.
Congress alleged that its lawmakers, including women parliamentarians, were pushed and manhandled during the removal operation. Police maintained that the demonstration had been organised without permission in a high-security zone and that participants were detained to restore order.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the opposition had taken its campaign to a place where the government had not expected a protest. She accused the administration of attempting to silence questions over the treatment of students and argued that peaceful dissent could not be suppressed through detention.
Sonia Gandhi later visited Mandir Marg police station, where Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other party members were being held. Senior Congress leaders condemned the detentions as an attack on the opposition’s democratic right to protest, while party units in several states announced solidarity demonstrations.
The Bharatiya Janata Party accused Rahul Gandhi of promoting disorder and disregarding the responsibilities attached to his constitutional position. Party president Nitin Nabin described his conduct as unbecoming of the Leader of the Opposition and said Congress was exploiting student concerns for political purposes.
Union government representatives said action had already been taken in cases involving examination leaks and administrative failures. They rejected demands for senior resignations and accused opposition parties of refusing dialogue while seeking confrontation on the streets.
Tuesday’s sit-in followed a large youth-led demonstration in central Delhi a day earlier. Thousands of protesters had attempted to march towards Parliament, defying restrictions imposed by police. Security forces used tear gas and batons after demonstrators pushed through barricades at several locations.
The agitation has drawn support from students, professionals and families angered by repeated allegations of question-paper leaks and mismanagement of competitive examinations. Protest organisers are seeking an independent investigation, stronger safeguards for national tests and the resignation of the education minister.
The movement has also highlighted mounting concern over the psychological and financial pressure placed on candidates preparing for entrance and recruitment examinations. Students often spend years and substantial family savings on coaching, travel and application fees, leaving them vulnerable when examinations are cancelled, postponed or challenged in court.
Rahul Gandhi said the campaign would continue until students received justice and the government answered allegations of police brutality. Opposition parties have sought to broaden the dispute from an education issue into a wider debate over accountability, unemployment and the government’s handling of dissent.
IPA Service
