The developments came as thousands of protesters returned to Jantar Mantar to continue the agitation.
NEW DELHI: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were released after being detained by Delhi Police during a protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence. The party had marched to Lok Kalyan Marg demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged paper leak and the police action against student protesters.The protests also drew support from several opposition leaders, while Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) strongly criticised the Centre over Rahul Gandhi’s detention and renewed its demand for the abolition of NEET. Meanwhile, the BJP accused the Congress of politicising the issue and defended the police action, saying the protest near the Prime Minister’s residence was held without permission.The developments came as thousands of protesters returned to Jantar Mantar to continue the agitation.
TVK condemns Rahul’s detention, seeks NEET abolition
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) condemned the detention of Rahul Gandhi and criticised the police action against opposition leaders. “The crushing of democracy in the capital is strongly condemnable! The arrest of Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Mr. Rahul Gandhi, who joined the field in support of the youth’s non-violent protest held in Delhi, by being dragged by the Delhi Police and carried away in handcuffs, is a blatant attack on democratic rights. This is strongly condemnable,” the party said. TVK also renewed its opposition to the NEET examination.”From the moment the NEET exam was implemented, not only has its credibility been lacking, but students continue to face mental stress, with their future dreams turning into a massive question mark. The harm caused to students every year due to the NEET exam shows no sign of stopping. Therefore, we strongly demand that the Union government completely abolish the NEET exam,” it said.
Rahul, Priyanka released after detention
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several opposition leaders were detained after Congress workers marched towards the Prime Minister’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg.Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and other leaders were taken to Chhatrasal Stadium before being released later in the day. Priyanka Gandhi was taken to Mandir Marg Police Station, where Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi later arrived.Congress leaders said they protested because they were not allowed to raise the NEET issue in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi said they marched to the Prime Minister’s residence “to demand answers from him for the brutalities against young students yesterday” and demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.The protest was joined by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal, Pawan Khera, Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar, Kerala Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, Supriya Sule and several other opposition leaders.
Pradhan hits out at Congress
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Congress of using students for political purposes.”LoP Shri @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia continue to shamelessly exploit students as political tools to manufacture disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament,” he wrote on X. He said the government was ready for a discussion on NEET in Parliament but alleged that the Congress preferred “political spectacle over democratic debate”.”We owe our students more than outrage. We owe them answers, reforms and accountability. That is exactly what our government remains committed to delivering,” Pradhan said.BJP MP Sambit Patra also criticised the protest, saying demonstrations should be held only at designated locations. He said the Prime Minister’s residence is a high-security zone and staging a protest there without permission was “inappropriate”.
Police detail injuries, register six FIRs
Delhi Police said six FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence during Monday’s Parliament march. Two FIRs were registered at Parliament Street police station, while one each was registered at Connaught Place, Tilak Marg, Barakhamba Road and Kartavya Path police stations.DCP Northeast Delhi Rahul Alawal said six police personnel were injured during the violence. He said Constable Mohit suffered serious injuries to his head, below his eyes and on his legs and remains on medical rest. Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba, Inspector Rampal Goswami and some other officers have resumed duty despite being advised to rest.Station House Officer of Connaught Place police station Sukhbir Singh Malik said he was assaulted when a section of protesters allegedly turned violent near Regal Cinema. Malik said his helmet prevented a head injury, but he suffered injuries to his elbows, calf muscle and waist after being dragged to the ground. The police said several other personnel, including an ACP, an Inspector, a Head Constable and a driver, were also injured.
Sonam Wangchuk continues fast
Activist Sonam Wangchuk continued his indefinite hunger strike after being shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram following directions from the Delhi High Court.Sources told news agency ANI said Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh visited Medanta Hospital to enquire about Wangchuk’s health.The Delhi High Court directed Medanta Hospital to form a specialised medical team to supervise Wangchuk’s treatment while allowing him to continue his fast under constant medical supervision. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, said he would continue the hunger strike in solidarity with students allegedly injured during the police action. Go to Source
