BJP Criticises Rahul Gandhi Over March to PM’s Residence
The Bharatiya Janata Party has strongly criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after an opposition march toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence led to a confrontation with police in New Delhi. BJP leaders described the demonstration as irresponsible and said it showed disregard for the dignity and security of the prime minister’s residence.
Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad questioned Gandhi’s conduct, arguing that someone whose family includes three former prime ministers should understand the importance attached to the official residence. He accused Gandhi of acting arrogantly and attempting to pressure the government through street protests rather than political dialogue.
The BJP announced that it would organise nationwide demonstrations outside Congress offices in response to the protest. Prasad also claimed that the government had been prepared to debate the NEET controversy, but that opposition parties later withdrew from the proposed discussion.
Defending the police response, Prasad said officers had to intervene because the protest took place in a highly secured area and posed concerns for public order. Videos from the demonstration showed police dispersing protesters and attempting to remove Gandhi after he lay on the road near the protest site.
Congress later shared an image showing Gandhi with a nosebleed and accused the police of using excessive force. The march had been organised amid continuing student demonstrations over alleged irregularities and a paper leak connected to the NEET examination, with protesters demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Prasad said the government remained committed to protecting students and strengthening the integrity of entrance and recruitment examinations. He added that suspects linked to examination irregularities had been arrested and were facing legal proceedings, while the government was working to prevent similar problems through tighter oversight and systemic reforms.
