New Delhi [India], July 21 : Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday warned that the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament would be a "washout" if the government continued to refuse a discussion on the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and the police action against protesters, while demanding that Union Home Minister Amit Shah make a statement in Parliament on the issue.
Speaking to ANI after Opposition leaders joined protests in the national capital, Ramesh said the united stand taken by Opposition parties reflected growing concern over the handling of the examination controversy and the alleged police excesses against students.
"Opposition unity and solidarity were displayed in a very powerful and impactful manner. Our demand has been, and will continue to be, that the Home Minister makes a statement and that there is a detailed discussion regarding the education system, the examination system, and the atrocities committed against students by the Delhi Police yesterday. Furthermore, we demand the resignation of the Education Minister... However, I do not see that happening. If the government maintains this mindset, then the Parliament session will definitely be washed out," Ramesh said.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha also backed the Opposition's protest, describing the students' movement as a spontaneous public mobilisation rather than a politically orchestrated campaign.
"Let me tell you one thing: it is not just that the opposition has united; I have witnessed many protest movements over the past 20 years. I also study these subjects at the university level, yet I have never seen such a natural, spontaneous gathering of people. This is a direct challenge to the ruling power... No matter how much you try to cover things up. Just start with accountability," Jha said.
The remarks came hours after Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other Congress leaders were detained by Delhi Police while protesting near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official residence at Lok Kalyan Marg.
The Congress had marched from Rajaji Marg demanding accountability over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, action over the police crackdown on student protesters and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Several party leaders and workers were detained as police dispersed the demonstrators.
The protest followed Monday's confrontation between Delhi Police and demonstrators during a march over the paper leak, an incident that has triggered a political storm and repeated disruptions in both Houses of Parliament.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh accused Rahul Gandhi of changing his demands after the government agreed to discuss issues related to NEET and the student movement in Parliament. Singh claimed Gandhi later insisted on the resignation of the Education Minister as an additional condition and refused to end the sit-in.
The Congress, however, has maintained that the government must accept responsibility for the paper leak, initiate a comprehensive discussion on the education system in Parliament and answer allegations of excessive police action against student protesters. The Opposition has indicated that it will continue its protests inside and outside Parliament until its demands are addressed.