Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were released around 9pm local time on Tuesday after being detained during a protest over the alleged examination paper leak issue and the police crackdown on student demonstrators.
Following their detention, Rahul Gandhi was taken to Chhatrasal Stadium, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was taken to Mandir Marg police station, reports NDTV.
While in detention, Rahul Gandhi issued a video statement placing five demands before the government.
He called for the resignations of Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, action against police personnel who allegedly assaulted students on Monday and withdrawal of cases filed against them, an apology from the prime minister over Monday’s crackdown, a discussion on the issue in Parliament, and immediate education and examination reforms.
Questioning the country’s education system, Rahul said “Why is the Indian education system collapsing? Why are papers leaking? Why is education so expensive in India? Why do families have to destroy themselves financially to educate their children? These are legitimate questions, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking them.”
Rahul also said the entire opposition wanted the matter to be debated in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Expressing gratitude to supporters, he said, “To everyone fighting together for the cause of the students, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
The standoff has further intensified tensions between the government and the opposition over repeated paper leaks in competitive examinations, an issue that has affected lakhs of students across India.
