Delhi Police detained three Congress leaders on Monday while they protested outside the official residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi [1].
The incident escalates tensions between the opposition and the government over alleged police brutality against students protesting changes to the NEET-UG exam.
Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led the march to Lok Kalyan Marg [2]. The Congress party demanded a parliamentary discussion on the crackdown, as well as an apology, and the resignations of Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah [2].
The protests were sparked by a police crackdown on demonstrators from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who oppose the recent NEET-UG exam modifications [2]. During the unrest, activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to the private Medanta hospital in Gurgaon [1].
Following the clashes, thousands of CJP supporters regrouped at Jantar Mantar [3]. Abhijeet Dipke, representing the CJP, apologized to injured students and said that the group would not march again because police will hurt youth again [3].
Government officials have responded to the growing unrest. "We owe our students more than outrage," Dharmendra Pradhan said [1].
The detention of high-profile political figures and the hospitalization of a prominent activist highlight the volatility of the current student-led protests in the capital.
“"We will not march again because police will hurt youth again,"”
The intersection of student grievances over exam reforms and high-level political opposition creates a volatile atmosphere in Delhi. By aligning with the Cockroach Janta Party, the Congress party is attempting to leverage youth frustration to challenge the current administration's handling of public order and education policy.
