Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were released after being taken into custody by Delhi Police while leading a demonstration near Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence.
The protest march headed towards Lok Kalyan Marg, where Congress demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged examination paper leak and the police response to student demonstrators, reports Times of India.
Several opposition leaders expressed support for the protest. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) also condemned Rahul Gandhi’s detention and reiterated its call for the abolition of NEET.
The BJP, however, accused the Congress of attempting to gain political mileage from the issue.
The party also defended the police action, stating that the protest near the prime minister’s residence had been organised without prior permission.
After being released, Rahul Gandhi called on Modi to introduce education reforms without delay and thanked people for backing the demonstrations against the alleged paper leaks, reports NDTV.
Before police dispersed the gathering, sources said Rahul had planned to continue the sit-in throughout the night.
He had also appealed to the public to join the protest outside the prime minister’s residence.
“An attack on students is an attack on every Indian family. PM Modi believes he can get away without answers, without consequences. He cannot. Not this time. I ask every patriotic Indian who believes our students deserve justice – join us in dharna in front of the Prime Minister’s residence. The voice of India’s students will not be ignored,” he said in a post.
