Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Lead Congress Dharna Outside PM Modi’s Residence Demanding Accountability in NEET Crisis
New Delhi: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge staged a sit-in protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday, intensifying pressure on the Centre over the NEET-UG paper leak scandal and alleged police excesses against student demonstrators.
The protest erupted a day after violent clashes during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Sansad Chalo’ march in the national capital. Police resorted to lathi charges to disperse agitating students and youth protesting irregularities in the medical entrance examination, leaving many injured. Opposition leaders accused the government of suppressing voices of the youth instead of addressing their genuine grievances.
Addressing the gathering and through a post on X, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, said: “We have marched to PM Modi’s house to demand answers from him for the brutalities against young students yesterday. The Government doesn’t want to take any accountability, nor does it want to have a debate on it in Parliament. The Prime Minister and Home Minister must resign for destroying the future of India’s youth.”
Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi and other Congress MPs visited injured students admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, extending solidarity. The party has consistently demanded a full debate in Parliament on the NEET irregularities, resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and a thorough investigation into the leaks that have disrupted the aspirations of lakhs of students.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, senior Congress leaders, and MPs joined the dharna, raising slogans against the Modi government. Delhi Police maintained a heavy presence with Rapid Action Force and women constables at the site. Several protesters, including Congress workers, were reportedly detained as authorities moved to secure the high-security zone.
The NEET-UG 2026 controversy has exposed deep flaws in the examination system managed by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Students have complained of paper leaks, scoring discrepancies, and arbitrary decisions that forced many to appear for re-tests, wasting precious time and resources. The issue has sparked nationwide outrage, with parents and aspirants questioning the fairness and transparency of one of India’s most critical entrance tests for medical and related courses.
Congress leaders alleged that the government’s response has been inadequate and dismissive. They pointed out that repeated demands for discussion in Parliament were ignored, forcing the party to take the protest to the Prime Minister’s doorstep. The party maintained it supports the students’ cause without endorsing any violence during Monday’s march.
The government, on its part, has defended the police action, citing injuries to law enforcement personnel and the need to maintain order near sensitive areas like Parliament. It has announced some remedial measures, including limited re-examinations, but these have failed to assuage widespread anger.
The dharna outside PM Modi’s residence highlights the growing political confrontation over education and youth empowerment. As Parliament sessions remain disrupted and public discontent simmers, the episode is likely to dominate political discourse in the coming days. Opposition parties under the INDIA banner see this as an opportunity to corner the NDA on governance failures affecting millions of young Indians.
With students’ futures hanging in the balance, the demand for accountability, a judicial probe, and systemic reforms in the examination process is gaining momentum. The coming weeks will test whether the government responds with concrete action or continues to face street protests and parliamentary standoffs.
