The Congress has announced that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will address a special press briefing at 4 pm on Wednesday at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi.
He is likely to speak on the detention of Opposition MPs, the NEET paper leak controversy and the Opposition’s demand for a discussion on the issue in Parliament.
Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and several other opposition leaders were released after being detained by Delhi Police during a protest near Lok Kalyan Marg over the alleged NEET paper leak issue.
Rahul: PM should apologise, Shah and Pradhan should resign
Rahul Gandhi released a video on X, recorded while he was detained at Chhatrasal Stadium after being taken into custody during the protest.
He said the Congress decided to protest because the Lok Sabha Speaker did not give clarity on allowing a discussion in Parliament over the alleged police action against protesting students.
Gandhi said students are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. They are also seeking withdrawal of cases against protesting students and action against police personnel accused of assaulting them.
He said the Opposition wants a debate on the issue in Parliament and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise to students for the police action.
Dharmendra Pradhan hits back
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of using students as political tools to disrupt the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
He said students deserve better than being used for political purposes and criticised the Congress for staging a protest near the Prime Minister’s residence.
Government held talks before police action, says Jitendra Singh
Before the police action, Union Minister Jitendra Singh and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan met Rahul Gandhi at the protest site and held discussions with him for around 20 minutes.
Jitendra Singh later met Union Home Minister Amit Shah before returning for another round of talks with the Congress leader.
In a social media post, Jitendra Singh claimed Rahul Gandhi had initially sought a discussion in Parliament on the NEET paper leak issue and that the government had agreed. He alleged that Gandhi later added another demand seeking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
