INDIA Bloc MPs Led by Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav Protest in Parliament Against Lathicharge on Students, Demand Pradhan’s Resignation
INDIA Bloc MPs Led by Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav Protest in Parliament Against Lathicharge on Students, Demand Pradhan’s Resignation
New Delhi: Leaders of the INDIA bloc staged a massive protest inside the Parliament House precincts on Wednesday, condemning the lathicharge and use of tear gas on students and youth at Jantar Mantar and demanding accountability for the NEET paper leaks.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav led the demonstration along with MPs from Congress, DMK, TMC, RJD, Shiv Sena-UBT, NCP-SP and other constituents of the INDIA alliance. Carrying banners and placards that read “Stop Attacks on Students”, “Arrest Paper Mafia Not Protesters” and “Dharmendra Pradhan Must Resign”, the MPs raised slogans before the start of proceedings and then marched towards the Gandhi statue inside the complex.
The protest was triggered by the police action on Sunday during the Chalo Sansad march, when hundreds of students and youth gathered at Jantar Mantar demanding justice for NEET aspirants. Eyewitnesses and videos showed police using batons and firing tear gas shells. Several protesters, including many girls, were detained and taken to different police stations. Hundreds of shoes and slippers were left behind as students ran for safety.
Addressing the media during the protest, Rahul Gandhi said the government was “beating the future of India instead of listening to them.” He alleged that instead of acting against those responsible for repeated paper leaks, the Modi government was targeting students who were demanding transparency and fairness. “Lakhs of children work hard for years. Their papers are leaked, their dreams are shattered, and when they come to ask questions they are beaten with lathis. This is the real face of this government,” he said.
Akhilesh Yadav, standing alongside Congress MPs, said the incident was “shameful for democracy.” He demanded a judicial inquiry into the NEET leak and immediate compensation for families of students who died by suicide after the exam controversy. “The Education Minister has failed. He should take moral responsibility and resign. The government cannot run away by arresting students,” Akhilesh said.
Other INDIA bloc MPs also joined in, submitting notices for discussion in both Houses. They raised three core demands: a high-level probe into the NEET paper leak and the coaching mafia behind it, Rs 1 crore compensation to bereaved families, and no punitive action against any student who participated in peaceful protests. The MPs also expressed solidarity with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on the 24th day of his hunger strike in hospital and has now written to Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh seeking assurance for the safety of protesters.
The government did not respond to the protest inside Parliament. BJP leaders later said the matter was sub-judice as the CBI was already investigating the NEET irregularities and that law and order was the responsibility of Delhi Police.
With Parliament in session and student protests continuing at Jantar Mantar for the fourth day, Wednesday’s joint action by INDIA bloc has brought the issue directly to the floor of Parliament. Opposition leaders said they will continue to raise it daily until the Education Minister quits and the government gives a written assurance on the safety of young protesters.
