NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday led a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Congress accused the Centre of using police force against protesters who were raising concerns over the country’s education and examination system.
The demonstration came on the second day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, a day after clashes between Delhi Police and supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) during the outfit’s “Chalo Sansad” march. Several protesters were injured in the confrontation, triggering a fresh political showdown between the Opposition and the BJP-led government.
Rahul Gandhi was joined by senior Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party general secretary K.C. Venugopal, as the party intensified its campaign over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and the handling of student protests.
Rahul Gandhi Questions Police Action
Before leaving Parliament for the protest, Rahul Gandhi addressed reporters and accused the Centre of suppressing students who were peacefully voicing concerns about the education system.
He said students across the country were demanding fairness and transparency in examinations but were instead being met with police action. According to Gandhi, the government was attempting to silence young people rather than responding to their grievances.
The Congress leader argued that the concerns raised by students were genuine and reflected widespread dissatisfaction with the current state of the examination system. He maintained that the issue had become a national concern affecting the future of millions of aspirants.
Congress Alleges Debate Being Blocked in Parliament
Rahul Gandhi also alleged that Opposition members were being prevented from discussing the education crisis in Parliament.
He claimed that Congress MPs had approached the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking a discussion on issues related to students and examinations. According to Gandhi, they were informed that permission from the government would be required before such a debate could take place.
Questioning the functioning of Parliament, Gandhi said it was unacceptable that the Opposition had to depend on the government’s approval to raise issues concerning students and the country’s education system.
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His remarks added to the growing confrontation between the ruling alliance and Opposition parties during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
‘Education System Has Been Hollowed Out’
Launching a sharp attack on the Centre, Rahul Gandhi alleged that India’s education and examination systems had become dysfunctional.
He claimed that repeated controversies had severely weakened public confidence in competitive examinations and described the testing system as being “hollowed out by termites.” Gandhi said he had repeatedly highlighted these concerns through presentations and public interventions but questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi had remained silent on the issue.
According to the Congress leader, students were not asking for special treatment but only seeking a transparent and trustworthy examination process.
Gandhi Says Students Deserve Better
Describing the police response as “un-Indian,” Rahul Gandhi said young people deserved respect instead of force.
He argued that employment opportunities for the country’s youth were already limited and that competitive examinations represented one of the few avenues available to them. If confidence in that system was also lost, he said, students would be left with little hope for their future.
Gandhi stated that the ongoing protests reflected growing frustration among students who believed their future was at stake. He maintained that the government should have engaged with students rather than confronting them through police action.
Demands Resignation of Senior Ministers
Rahul Gandhi further escalated his criticism by alleging that the country’s education system had been influenced by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent organisation of the BJP.
He also accused the Modi government of prioritising the interests of industrialists over those of students and young job seekers.
Calling the issue much larger than education alone, Gandhi said students across India were expressing fears about their future and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign, taking responsibility for the situation.
Congress Leaders Visit Injured Protesters
After interacting with the media, Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and K.C. Venugopal, visited Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi.
The Congress leaders met protesters who had sustained injuries during Monday’s clashes between Delhi Police and CJP supporters. Following the hospital visit, they proceeded towards Lok Kalyan Marg to continue the party’s protest against the Centre.
The visit was aimed at expressing solidarity with the injured demonstrators and highlighting the Congress party’s support for students and protesters demanding accountability.
CJP Continues Agitation
Meanwhile, representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party continued to press their demands before the government.
CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and submitted the organisation’s demands in writing following Monday’s protest.
Although authorities dismantled the protest infrastructure at Jantar Mantar after the clashes, restrictions under Section 163 remained in force in several parts of central Delhi, prohibiting gatherings of five or more people.
Despite the restrictions, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke continued his sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar. He reiterated that the agitation would continue until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.
Education Row Deepens Political Divide
The controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in examinations has emerged as one of the central issues of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Opposition parties have repeatedly demanded discussions on examination reforms, accountability and student welfare, while accusing the government of avoiding debate on the matter. The ruling side, however, has defended its handling of the situation and maintained that security measures were necessary to preserve law and order.
With protests continuing both inside and outside Parliament, the confrontation over education policy, examination transparency and the treatment of protesters is expected to remain a major political issue in the days ahead.
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