New Delhi [India], July 21 : Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, along with several other leaders, were released from detention after Delhi Police's action over the party's protest at Lok Kalyan Marg, demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and several opposition leaders left from Chhatrasal Stadium, where they were brought under detention by the police. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi reached the Mandir Marg Police Station, where Priyanka Gandhi was detained.
Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, KC Venugopal and Pawan Khera protested at Lok Kalyan Marg. Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan and Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar also joined the protest.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence is on Lok Kalyan Marg.
Amid rumours of Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) joining hands with the NDA, which the party has denied, MP Supriya Sule also joined the Congress' protest.
Congress leaders stated that they were not allowed to raise the issue in Parliament; hence, they staged a protest near PM Modi's official residence against the police action on Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)'s 'Sansad Chalo' protest on Monday.
In an X post, Rahul Gandhi said they 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, or does it want to have a debate on it in Parliament. PM and HM must resign for destroying the future of India's youth," he said.
However, Union Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office, Jitendra Singh, met and spoke with Rahul Gandhi. He alleged that Rahul Gandhi backed off from his word and continued to protest at Lok Kalyan Marg, despite the government's assurance to hold a parliamentary discussion on the NEET-UG examination.
Speaking to ANI, Singh claimed that Rahul Gandhi initially demanded a parliamentary discussion during a conversation with him. However, after receiving an assurance from the government, the Congress leader said that he also wants Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign.
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said that the opposition leaders had given notice for discussion in Parliament, but no debate was held on the issue.
Venugopal said, "The government showed their brutality yesterday. Today, they have repeated this brutality... They are completely anti-democratic. Jitendra Singh told us to give a notice, and then they will think about a discussion, which we don't want to. We gave a notice yesterday, and today too. Now these are all bogus things."
Meanwhile, the Opposition leaders strongly criticised the detention of Congress leaders. Rahul Gandhi said that "fight for justice for students" will continue despite pressure from the Centre.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that the police action against the Congress leaders was out of "fear" in the government. The Congress chief targeted PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over "lathi-charge" against protestors on Monday.
Kharge wrote, "The tyrannical government is trembling in fear. First, they ruined the education system, spoiled the future of millions of children, orchestrated leaks of over 150 exam papers, caused the deaths of 25 students, and when students took to the streets demanding justice, they unleashed lathi charges and rained down blows on them! They locked the gates of Parliament, imprisoned the MPs, refused to heed the united opposition's call for a debate, did not dismiss Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Modi ji remained silent on the atrocities against students, the Home Minister, who controls the Delhi Police, issued no statement despite our demands!!"
He alleged that Rahul Gandhi and other MPs were "forcibly removed" while protesting at Lok Kalyan Marg.
"Now, when Congress and opposition MPs are staging a sit-in in front of the Prime Minister's residence, our MPs have been dragged away by force. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has been forcibly removed. What kind of democracy is this?" Kharge said.
Taking a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X, "Tanashahi ka dusra naam hai amitshahi (Amit Shah is another name for dictatorship)."
Congress leader Pawan Khera demanded an apology from PM Modi and Amit Shah.
In a self-made video, Khera said, "Our demands are very clear: we will not allow lathi charge against students, nor will we allow cases to be filed against them. We will not let Dharmendra Pradhan remain in his post. The Home Minister must apologise and resign, and the Prime Minister must apologise."
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah also condemned the detention of Opposition leaders, stating that this was not the conduct of a "confident government."
Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar said that the protest will continue till the students get justice. He told ANI, "It is unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi (were detained). We are all fighting for the cause of the students of this country. We want justice. We want this to be discussed in the Parliament. More than 100 MPs are here. No one is afraid of being arrested. This movement will continue till justice is given."
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy termed the detention of Congress leaders "an assault on the democratic right to protest." He wrote on X, "The entire Congress family and country is firmly with our youth who are demanding accountability from the Central government. You can throw us in jail, you can try to suppress us, but you cannot suppress the anger of millions of young Indians fighting for justice and accountability."
Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, "The way people were arrested, Rahul Gandhi was dragged, this doesn't suit democracy. The Congress Party, Rahul Gandhi, and the whole country will get justice for the students no matter what. The government should give up its stubbornness."
Congress leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir said that the police action amounted to "harassment." He told ANI, "The Leader of the Opposition was forcibly dragged away, even though the responsible political party had taken no untoward action, and then taken to various distant locations across Delhi in different vehicles. This amounts to harassment. However, neither the Congress party nor the youth of the country will be intimidated by this."
Congress MP Rajeev Shukla maintained, "Rahul Gandhi and all of us were detained and brought to Chhatrasal Stadium. The demand remains the same. Resignation of the Education Minister, along with a debate on this in Parliament."
Andhra Pradesh Congress chief YS Sharmila slammed the Centre for allegedly "manhandling" Priyanka Gandhi.
"If an elected Member of Parliament like Priyanka Gandhi ji can be 'man'-handled in broad daylight, it is a chilling reminder of how draconian the Modi regime has become. When those elected by the people are treated with such contempt, no citizen's dignity is safe. It is time this authoritarian regime is taught a democratic lesson," YS Sharmila wrote on X.
As Akhilesh Yadav and Supriya Sule joined the protest, Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav described it as a symbol of unity among opposition ranks.
Congress leader Abhishek Dutt said, "What is the reason? Why is Dharmendra Pradhan not resigning? PM Modi has forgotten his old speeches. He must remember what he used to say in 2012-13. He was the person who said that I will provide employment to the youth. Instead, paper leaks were given, not employment."
Congress workers in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Jharkhand also staged protests following the detention of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti also came in support of the Congress, calling it a "blot on democracy."
"The shameful arrest of Rahul Gandhi & Priyanka Gandhi is yet another blot on India's democracy. A government that fears questions inevitably resorts to silencing its critics. Ironically, Rahul Gandhi's message to Gen Z, 'Daro mat' has come full circle. Today's the government that appears afraid of the Leader of the Opposition. Democracy is being strangled by brute force. It's time to stand up to those in power," Mufti posted.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) maintained that the protest was "inappropriate" as Congress did not have permissions.
BJP MP Sambit Patra said that the Prime Minister's residence commands a certain protocol and sanctity.
Patra said, "Today, we witnessed how Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by several Congress party leaders, suddenly staged a sit-in protest outside the gate of the Prime Minister's residence. In a democracy, staging sit-ins and protests is a hallmark of the system. However, where and how should a protest be conducted? What are the rules governing protests? What are the rules by which the country functions? The Leader of the Opposition ought to be aware of this. Rahul ji is no ordinary leader; he is the Leader of the Opposition in the country. He is well aware that there are designated areas and spaces in Delhi specifically earmarked for protests."
"Despite this, staging a sit-in protest with a large crowd right outside the gate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence--suddenly, without permission, and in disregard of the law--is inappropriate. That is not how democracy functions," he added.
He added that the government is not against the sit-in protests, but that they should take place in designated areas for protests.
"The Prime Minister's residence is a high-threat perception zone; it commands a certain protocol and sanctity. Under such circumstances, what if undesirable elements were to infiltrate that crowd, seeking to exploit the situation or compromise safety and security? Would that be appropriate for democracy? Is it right to expose the Prime Minister's premises and residence to such security risks? Is it proper to play games with his security? I believe that as the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi ji should reflect on this. He should deeply consider the fact that he bears certain responsibilities and must discharge them effectively. No one is saying that protests or sit-ins should not take place; however, there are established ways and places for conducting them," the BJP leader said.
The whole fiasco came after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)'s 'Sansad Chalo' protest on Monday, which was met with police action in Central Delhi.