New Delhi witnessed fresh political tension after senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, were detained while attempting to march towards the Prime Minister’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg.
The protest was held to condemn the police lathi-charge and use of tear gas against members of the “Karappanpoochi Janata Party”, who have been agitating at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET question paper leak.
According to the report, clashes erupted earlier when protesters tried to proceed towards Parliament during the Monsoon Session. Police said stones were thrown and public property was damaged, while the party alleged excessive force against students. The incident reportedly left 118 police personnel and over 60 protesters injured.
On Tuesday, Congress workers gathered at party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence on Rajaji Marg before moving towards the PM’s residence. Delhi Police, initially caught off guard, deployed additional forces and barricades to stop the leaders.
Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh reportedly spoke to Rahul Gandhi briefly, but no agreement was reached. Rahul and others sat in a sudden sit-in near the restricted area; during the police effort to remove them, a scuffle broke out and Rahul reportedly suffered a minor injury. Priyanka was also detained, and visuals of her holding onto the police vehicle door drew attention. The leaders were released after a few hours.
