Rahul, Priyanka, others detained during protest outside Indian PM Modi’s residence
Congress protests police action on students, demand Modi, Amit Shah’s resignation
New Delhi: Police on Tuesday forcibly removed and detained Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and the Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav after they marched towards the official residence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to protest the police crackdown on students demonstrating over the NEET controversy.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, along with other Congress leaders, including the chief ministers of Karnataka and Kerala, staged a sit-in outside the Indian Prime Minister’s residence, demanding accountability for the police action against students during Monday’s “Chalo Sansad” march.
“We have marched to PM Modi’s house to demand answers for the brutalities against young students yesterday,” Rahul Gandhi posted on X. “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 the Home Minister must resign for destroying the future of India’s youth,” he added.
As police moved in to disperse the protest, Rahul Gandhi was forcibly removed. Indian media reported that as police swooped down on the site, the opposition leader could be seen lying on the ground and resisting as security personnel attempted to pick him up. He was hurt in the process. Priyanka Gandhi was also seen resisting detention as police escorted protesters into a bus.
The protest took place on the second day of the Monsoon Session of the Indian Parliament, a day after clashes between Delhi Police and Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters during the “Chalo Sansad” march left scores of protesters injured.
According to Hindustan Times, Rahul Gandhi decided to lead the march towards the Prime Minister’s residence after the Lok Sabha Speaker did not allow the opposition to raise the issue of the police action against students in Parliament.
Before leading the protest, Rahul Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament that the Modi government was using police force to suppress students raising genuine concerns.
The Congress party has been demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET controversy, a parliamentary debate on the issue and justice for the protesting students.
