Senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined opposition lawmakers in a protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence in New Delhi, intensifying political pressure on the government over the police response to recent student demonstrations.
The protest was held on Tuesday, one day after clashes between security personnel and youth demonstrators in central Delhi. Congress shared footage showing Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other opposition figures participating in the march and demanding that the prime minister explain the use of force against students.
Rahul Gandhi said the opposition had approached the prime minister’s residence to seek accountability for what he described as harsh treatment of young protesters.
In a social media statement, he accused the authorities of responding to student grievances with batons, tear gas and detention rather than addressing the underlying concerns that brought thousands of young people onto the streets.
The political demonstration was linked to the growing youth movement over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, particularly the controversy surrounding the NEET medical entrance test.
Students and supporters of the movement have accused the government of failing to protect the integrity of high-stakes examinations and have demanded major reforms to the country’s testing system.
Many demonstrators are also calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, arguing that the ministry must accept responsibility for repeated allegations of paper leaks, administrative failures and declining confidence in national examinations.
Thousands of protesters had attempted to march towards Parliament on Monday.
Police installed barricades across several parts of central Delhi to prevent the procession from reaching the heavily secured parliamentary district.
The situation became tense when sections of the crowd pushed against the barriers and attempted to move forward.
Security personnel responded with tear gas and baton charges, while both police officers and protesters reported injuries during the confrontation.
Images and videos from the clashes spread rapidly across social media, increasing public criticism of the government’s handling of the demonstrations.
Opposition parties accused the authorities of suppressing legitimate student anger instead of responding to concerns about examination leaks, the high cost of education, unemployment and limited career opportunities.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were joined by Congress lawmakers and representatives of allied opposition groups.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav was among the political figures reportedly detained during a sit-in near the prime minister’s residence.
Police tightened security throughout the area and blocked protesters from moving closer to the official residence.
Officers were deployed at major intersections and access routes as the gathering grew and opposition leaders continued demanding a response from the central government.
The demonstrators called for a clear explanation of the police operation, an investigation into the treatment of students and action against those responsible for failures in the examination system.
Congress has sought to make the student unrest a major issue during Parliament’s Monsoon Session.
The party argues that the controversy affects millions of young candidates and their families and therefore cannot be treated as a limited administrative dispute.
Opposition leaders have promised to continue raising the matter both inside Parliament and through public protests.
They are demanding a transparent investigation into examination irregularities, stronger safeguards against paper leaks and justice for students whose education and career plans were disrupted.
The government has said it is prepared to discuss NEET and wider education concerns in Parliament.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has accused Congress of exploiting student frustration for political gain and creating confrontation during the parliamentary session.
Pradhan has maintained that the government is committed to reforming the examination system, punishing those involved in leaks and improving accountability.
The opposition, however, says general promises are no longer sufficient.
It argues that senior officials must accept responsibility and that reform proposals should be supported by independent investigations, public disclosure and direct consultation with student representatives.
Tuesday’s protest near Modi’s residence marked a further escalation in the confrontation between the government and opposition over the youth movement.
What initially began as anger over examination irregularities has developed into a broader debate over police conduct, political accountability, unemployment, education costs and the treatment of public dissent.
The involvement of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other nationally prominent opposition leaders has also increased the political significance of the protests.
Their participation is expected to keep the issue at the centre of parliamentary debate and public discussion as the Monsoon Session continues.
The controversy now represents more than a dispute over one examination.
It has become a test of whether the government can restore confidence among young Indians while responding to growing demands for fairness, transparency and accountability.
