Several Youth Congress workers were detained by the Chandigarh Police on Thursday while attempting to protest against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during his visit to the city, officials said.
The protest took place near Sector 18, where Pradhan had arrived to attend a programme at Tagore Theatre. The event was organised to mark the anniversary of the Emergency imposed on June 25, 1975, with the Bharatiya Janata Party holding similar observances across the country.
Eyewitnesses said Youth Congress activists raised slogans demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister. Police intervened and attempted to stop the demonstrators from moving towards the venue. When the protesters continued with their demonstration, they were taken into custody and removed from the area.
The protesting workers said they were exercising their democratic right to raise their concerns and accused the authorities of preventing them from voicing their opposition. They maintained that their campaign would continue and vowed to intensify their agitation in the coming days.
According to party workers, the protest was linked to the alleged NEET paper leak controversy. Youth Congress leaders had earlier announced plans to stage a demonstration during the minister’s visit and called upon supporters to assemble in the city. However, police detained several workers before they could reach the protest site.
Pradhan arrived via Mohali airport and was received by party leaders before proceeding to the Chandigarh event.
Speaking on the occasion, Chandigarh Mayor Saurabh Joshi said the BJP was observing June 25 as “Black Day” to commemorate what it described as an attack on democratic institutions during the Emergency period. He alleged that constitutional values were undermined and opposition leaders were jailed during that phase of the country’s history.
Joshi also targeted Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over recent controversies and said the people of Punjab would ultimately judge the state government’s performance. Referring to the ongoing debate surrounding a controversial video, he claimed that there had been demands for an independent examination of the matter and asserted that the public would deliver its verdict in due course.
Police did not immediately disclose the number of people detained. The situation remained under control, and the minister’s programme concluded without any disruption.