Delhi police detained senior Congress leaders Tuesday during a sit-in protest outside the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi [1].

The demonstration signals an escalation in the opposition's efforts to challenge the current administration's policy decisions through direct action in the capital. By targeting both the Prime Minister and the Education Minister, the party is highlighting specific grievances regarding national governance and academic policy.

The protest occurred July 21, 2026 [1] on Lok Kalyan Marg, where Prime Minister Modi resides [2]. Among those participating were Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and party president Mallikarjun Kharge [2]. Other high-ranking officials present included KC Venugopal, Pawan Khera, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan [2].

The group staged the sit-in to demand the immediate resignations of Prime Minister Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan [1]. The leaders said the move was necessary to press for resignations over fundamental policy disagreements [2].

Reports on the police response vary. Some accounts indicate that leaders were detained from the protest site [2]. Further reports suggest that police utilized tear-gas shells and lathi-charges to disperse the crowd [3]. Other reports of the event confirmed the protest took place but did not specify the use of force or detentions [1].

The presence of two sitting state chief ministers alongside the national party leadership underscores the coordinated nature of the effort. The Congress party has sought to mobilize its base by bringing the conflict directly to the doorstep of the executive branch, a move that often results in immediate security interventions in Delhi.

“Congress leaders staged a sit-in demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.”

The detention of top-tier Congress leadership, including state chief ministers, indicates a high-stakes confrontation between the opposition and the ruling party. By focusing on the Education Minister alongside the Prime Minister, the party is attempting to link specific policy failures to the broader leadership of the administration, aiming to create a focal point for public discontent.