Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has called for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing the government of evading responsibility and suppressing the voices of the youth following police action against protesting students.
Delhi Police detained Rahul Gandhi, his sister and Congress lawmaker Priyanka Gandhi, along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, after security forces stopped their protest near the prime minister’s residence. Gandhi took to social media to condemn the administration for destroying the future prospects of the country’s youth and urged citizens to support students protesting against examination irregularities and paper leaks.
Meanwhile, the protest coincided with heightened political tensions in New Delhi. Gandhi, accompanied by Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Akhilesh Yadav, staged a sit-in outside 7 Lok Kalyan Marg after being blocked by security personnel. Gandhi claimed opposition lawmakers were compelled to protest publicly after their efforts to raise the issue of the student crackdown inside Parliament were stifled, alleging that microphones were cut off during the sessions.
In a significant development, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh met Gandhi at the protest site to propose a parliamentary debate. However, opposition leaders rejected the offer after the government failed to confirm the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. During the ensuing standoff, Gandhi sustained minor injuries before Delhi Police forcibly detained the leaders.
The escalation follows violent clashes in central New Delhi the previous day, when police used tear gas and batons to disperse thousands participating in the “Chalo Sansad” march. The confrontations resulted in injuries to dozens of civilians and officers.
The protests are led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), an online student campaign launched in May that has quickly grown into a significant civil movement. CJP leaders have stated that despite the detention of political figures, peaceful sit-ins will continue at Jantar Mantar until their demands for examination system reforms and ministerial resignations are met.
