GUWAHATI: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday , July 21, accused Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of using students as "political tools" to disrupt the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
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In a statement, Pradhan alleged that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress staged a protest outside the Prime Minister's residence, causing inconvenience to the public and disregarding established security protocols.
He claimed that despite the Centre expressing its willingness to hold a comprehensive discussion on the NEET issue in Parliament, the Congress chose political protests over democratic debate.
Pradhan asserted that the government's focus remains on addressing concerns related to NEET and discussing the matter on the floor of the House. He said students deserve solutions, accountability and reforms rather than political confrontation.
Reiterating the Centre's stand, the Union Minister said the government remains committed to addressing the genuine concerns of students through parliamentary discussion and necessary reforms.
The national capital witnessed heightened political activity on Tuesday as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, while several Opposition leaders extended support to students protesting against the alleged NEET examination paper leak.
Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Congress MPs, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and leaders from allied parties, staged a sit-in near the Prime Minister's residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
Among those who joined the protest were Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule, and two chief ministers from Opposition-ruled states.
The demonstrators gathered at the Lok Kalyan Marg-Akbar Road crossing and remained there for nearly three-and-a-half hours in solidarity with students protesting against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
According to reports, Delhi Police later removed the protesters from the site. Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other Opposition leaders were detained and taken away in police buses.
Rahul Gandhi was taken to Chhatrasal Stadium in north Delhi and was released later in the evening. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was taken to Mandir Marg Police Station, where Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi also arrived later. Priyanka Gandhi was released at around 9.45 pm.
The protest came a day after thousands of students marched in Delhi demanding action over the alleged NEET paper leak and accountability from the Centre, escalating the political confrontation over the examination controversy.