Opposition leaders visited injured protesters, staged demonstrations in Parliament and demanded that Delhi Police disclose all FIRs and detentions linked to Monday’s march.
Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal intensified the Opposition's attack on the Centre over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, demanding a Parliament debate, transparency on detained protesters and accountability for the police action during the CJP march in Delhi. | ANI
Opposition leaders on Tuesday stepped up pressure on the Centre over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the police action during the Cockroach Janata Party’s march towards Parliament, demanding a debate in both Houses and information about protesters allegedly detained after Monday’s violence.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and other Opposition leaders visited injured protesters at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, while MPs raised the issue inside and outside Parliament.
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The Delhi Police have said more than 118 personnel were injured after protesters allegedly breached barricades, pelted stones and damaged vehicles and public property. Around 60 protesters were also reported injured.
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Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said students had been “beaten for asking legitimate questions about their own future” and demanded a detailed discussion on the examination crisis and the police action.
Gandhi said Opposition MPs met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and sought dedicated time to discuss the issue during the Monsoon Session.
“If Parliament cannot discuss the future of India’s youth, what is it for?” he said in a post on X.
Speaking later at Parliament, Gandhi alleged that the country’s examination system had been “hollowed out by termites” and accused the government of avoiding accountability.
He claimed competitive examinations were among the few remaining avenues available to young people seeking opportunities and said repeated irregularities had damaged their faith in the system.
Gandhi also demanded the resignations of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He later visited RML Hospital along with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to meet protesters injured during Monday’s clashes.
Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also visited RML Hospital and accused the Centre of carrying out a “barbaric attack” on unarmed students.
Kejriwal said he was informed that all but one of the injured protesters admitted to the hospital had been discharged. He met the family of the remaining student and said he prayed for her recovery.
The AAP leader later went to the Parliament Street police complex along with party colleagues, including Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi Assembly Leader of Opposition Atishi.
Kejriwal demanded that the police release the complete list of FIRs registered in connection with the protest and disclose the names and locations of students allegedly detained without an FIR.
He assured the families of protesters that the Opposition would seek information about their whereabouts.
AAP MPs staged a demonstration outside Makar Dwar in Parliament, raising slogans demanding a discussion on the alleged paper leak and answers over the police action.
Sanjay Singh accused the authorities of carrying out a “brutal lathi charge” against young protesters and alleged that some of those involved in the action were not wearing nameplates.
“In a democracy, dialogue works, not the rule of the baton,” Singh said.
He compared the violence to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and questioned why the government had not held talks with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who remains under treatment at Safdarjung Hospital after a prolonged hunger strike.
Singh also questioned the investigation into the 2024 NEET controversy and accused the government of failing to act against those responsible.
Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that he was not allowed to raise the issue in the Upper House.
Kharge said his microphone was switched off soon after he began speaking and questioned whether the Opposition would be permitted to discuss the concerns of students in Parliament.
“We want a discussion on this issue. Following the discussion, the Home Minister should make a statement,” he said.
Kharge, who turned 84 on Tuesday, said he had decided not to celebrate his birthday in protest against the use of force on students.
He alleged that lathis and tear gas were used against protesters seeking answers over examination irregularities.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal accused the Centre of being “anti-student” and held the Prime Minister responsible for Monday’s police action.
Venugopal submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha seeking suspension of the day’s business to discuss alleged leaks in competitive examinations and the crackdown on protesters.
He said the Opposition would also demand an explanation from Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on the floor of the House.
The Congress leader said students had gathered to raise concerns about the NEET and CBSE examination systems and questioned why a peaceful protest had been met with force.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut described Monday as a “Black Day” for Indian democracy and said July 20 should be observed as “Coward’s Day”.
Raut accused the police of using excessive force, tear gas and batons against young protesters.
He said he remained in touch with protest leaders through the night and planned to visit the agitation site.
The Delhi Police have said Monday’s march turned violent after protesters attempted to cross barricades and move towards Parliament despite restrictions.
According to police, stones and other objects were thrown at personnel, while police and government vehicles were vandalised.
FIRs have been registered against unidentified persons at Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations over alleged rioting, stone-pelting, obstruction of public servants and damage to public property.
The police have also released footage that they said showed protesters throwing stones near Connaught Place.
The Cockroach Janata Party has demanded Pradhan’s resignation, compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of NEET aspirants whom it says died amid the examination crisis, and the immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk.
A CJP delegation met Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday to present its demands.
Nadda, who is also Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, said the government remained open to dialogue and appealed to protesters to end their sit-in.
CJP leaders, however, have vowed to continue the protest until Pradhan resigns.
Sonam Wangchuk remains admitted to Safdarjung Hospital under the supervision of a multidisciplinary medical team.
According to the latest hospital bulletin cited in the source material, his vital parameters were stable, though his blood sugar remained low and his serum potassium level was recorded at 3.2 mEq/L.
The hospital said he was receiving oral rehydration therapy and potassium supplements but continued to decline intravenous fluids and glucose despite medical advice.
Wangchuk was taken to the hospital by Delhi Police on July 18 after continuing his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
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