Rahul, Priyanka Detained Amid NEET Protests; Pradhan Slams Congress

On July 21, 2026, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained by Delhi Police during a significant protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official residence at Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi. The demonstration was organized by the Congress party to demand accountability over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and police action against student protesters, as well as calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest saw Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by other senior Congress leaders including Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Kerala, leading a sit-in. Visuals from the protest showed police personnel forcibly removing Rahul Gandhi and carrying him to a police vehicle after demonstrators refused to disperse. He was subsequently taken to Chhatrasal Stadium, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was taken to Mandir Marg Police Station. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was also among the opposition leaders detained during the day. Following their detention, both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were later released. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi visited Priyanka Gandhi at the Mandir Marg Police Station, showing solidarity with the detained leaders. After his release, Rahul Gandhi reiterated the Congress's commitment to continuing the agitation and urged the government to introduce education reforms. Priyanka Gandhi, upon her release, stated that the government was afraid and suppressing dissent, emphasizing that the party would not be intimidated. The Congress leaders asserted that they resorted to protesting near the Prime Minister's residence because they were not allowed to raise the NEET issue in Parliament. They accused the government of unwillingness to take accountability or engage in a parliamentary debate on the matter, demanding the resignations of both Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, in addition to Dharmendra Pradhan. In response to the Congress protest, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan sharply criticized the opposition. He accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of 'shamelessly exploiting students as political tools' to create disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Pradhan alleged that the Congress chose 'political spectacle over democratic debate' despite the government's expressed readiness for a comprehensive discussion on the NEET paper leak issue in Parliament. He further claimed that the Congress's objective was 'never solutions for students; it was disruption for political headlines' and that Rahul Gandhi was prioritizing political optics over constructive engagement. Union Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office, Jitendra Singh, also weighed in, alleging that Rahul Gandhi had initially agreed to call off the protest if the government allowed a parliamentary discussion on NEET-related issues. However, Singh claimed that Gandhi later added a new demand for the Education Minister's resignation, leading to a breakdown in talks. The BJP, broadly, condemned Rahul Gandhi's conduct outside the Prime Minister's residence, with some leaders calling it 'unfortunate' and a 'black day in the history of Indian politics.' The incident underscores the escalating political confrontation surrounding the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, a matter of immense public significance in India given its impact on millions of aspiring students. The Congress has vowed to continue its campaign for justice for students and accountability from the government.

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