The national capital witnessed heightened political tensions as protests led by the Congress and the CJP intensified following the alleged police baton charge on young protesters and students a day earlier. After the Congress shifted its demonstration to the vicinity of the Prime Minister’s residence, the situation became increasingly tense.
The protest, led by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi at Lok Kalyan Marg, gained momentum after an attempt by the Central Government to defuse the situation reportedly failed. Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who also oversees responsibilities related to the Prime Minister’s Office, personally visited the protest site and held discussions with Rahul Gandhi. According to Congress leaders, Singh had arrived on the Prime Minister’s instructions to seek a resolution, but the party rejected the government’s proposal.
Congress has maintained that it will not withdraw its protest until the Central Government agrees to hold talks on the issue. As demonstrators continued their agitation near the Prime Minister’s residence, Delhi Police renewed efforts to disperse the gathering. Central security forces have also been deployed in the area, although they had not directly intervened at the time of reporting.
Rahul Gandhi was joined by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi, senior party leaders, Members of Parliament, and other Congress functionaries during the protest.
Congress Demands Resignations
The Congress launched the protest in response to what it described as police excesses against young protesters and students during demonstrations in the capital. Escalating the agitation to the Prime Minister’s Office, Rahul Gandhi demanded the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister.
Addressing the gathering, Gandhi alleged that the current government was jeopardizing the future of India’s youth and questioned the purpose of Parliament if the government was unwilling to discuss issues affecting students and job aspirants. Congress reiterated that it would continue its agitation until the Centre agreed to a formal discussion.
The protests were initially organized by the CJP at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over issues including the alleged NEET examination paper leak. The demonstrations intensified after Sonam Wangchuk, who had been observing a hunger strike in connection with the protest, was allegedly removed by authorities. Clashes erupted on the previous day after police dismantled the protest site at Jantar Mantar, leading to a baton charge. The latest round of demonstrations was organized in protest against that police action.
