Political protests spread across several states on Tuesday after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other opposition leaders were detained during a sit-in outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence. The Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), and Trinamool Congress (TMC) have accused the Centre of suppressing democratic dissent.
Why the protest was held outside PM Modi's residence
The surprise protest outside the prime minister's residence was organized to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The opposition is holding him responsible for the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and the police action against students who were protesting the examination controversy.
According to National Herald, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several opposition leaders sat on a dharna in the high-security zone before police removed and detained them after talks with a minister of state in the PMO.
Protests erupt in multiple states
Demonstrations erupted in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh following the detention. The Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Trinamool Congress have all condemned the police action, calling it an attack on democratic rights.
As reported by National Herald, the opposition parties are accusing the government of suppressing dissent and are demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak issue.
"Congress, Samajwadi Party and TMC condemn police action as demonstrations erupt in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Arunachal over NEET row." — National Herald
What the opposition is demanding
The core demand of the protest is the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The opposition believes he failed to prevent the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and mishandled the situation, leading to police action against student protesters.
According to Al Jazeera, Indian police detained Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as he protested outside the residence of the Prime Minister. The video report shows the detention taking place during the sit-in.
Our Take: A test for democratic space in India
This is not just about one protest or one detention. The fact that opposition leaders — including the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha — were physically removed from a peaceful sit-in raises serious questions about the space for dissent in India. When students protest a paper leak that affects their future, and when political leaders join them, the response should be dialogue, not detention.
In our view, the government must address the NEET paper leak issue transparently rather than cracking down on those demanding accountability. The spread of protests to multiple states shows that this is not a partisan issue — it reflects genuine public anger. If the Centre wants to restore trust, it should order a thorough investigation and take action against those responsible for the leak, rather than silencing the voices asking for answers.
