Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi led a protest march to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in New Delhi on Tuesday over the NEET paper leak issue and alleged police action against protesters. Later in the evening, Delhi Police removed Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and other leaders from the protest site.

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, remained seated on the road while refusing to leave before police personnel escorted him to a bus and removed him from the area.

Before the protest ended, Rahul Gandhi appealed to people to join the demonstration, saying that an attack on students was an attack on every Indian family and demanding justice for students.

Congress sticks to demands

The protest began after Congress leaders gathered outside the residence of Mallikarjun Kharge and marched towards the Prime Minister’s residence. During the protest, Union Minister Jitendra Singh met Rahul Gandhi and held discussions with him.

According to Congress leaders, the talks remained inconclusive as the party insisted on two key demands—a discussion in Parliament on the paper leak issue and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

However, Jitendra Singh later claimed Rahul Gandhi had initially agreed to end the protest if Parliament discussed the issue but later added the minister’s resignation as another condition.

Police removed the protesters shortly after the minister’s statement.

Protest follows CJP march

The Congress demonstration came a day after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led march to Parliament over alleged irregularities in NEET and other examinations. The CJP claimed several protesters were injured during police action.

Delhi Police, however, alleged that protesters turned violent, attacked personnel, damaged police vehicles and threw stones. The force said 118 police personnel were injured during Monday’s violence.

During Tuesday’s protest, Congress leaders accused the government of avoiding accountability and alleged that the Opposition was not allowed to raise the issue in Parliament. Kharge questioned why the Opposition was prevented from discussing the alleged assault on students.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule also joined the protest.

Meanwhile, the government maintained that it was ready to discuss the concerns of protesters but would not tolerate violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said preventing examination paper leaks was a national responsibility and stressed that strict action had been taken after reports of the NEET paper leak emerged.

More than 118 police personnel were injured and around 70 protesters were detained after the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Sansad Chalo’ protest turned violent in the New Delhi area on Monday, according to Delhi Police.

In an official statement, police alleged that protesters displayed “unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour” despite repeated warnings and directions to disperse. Authorities said demonstrators violated prohibitory orders that were in force in the area.

Police allege attacks on personnel and damage to public property

Delhi Police claimed protesters pelted stones and other objects at security personnel, attempted to breach barricades and vandalised police as well as other government vehicles. The statement also alleged that public property was damaged during the clashes, creating a serious law and order situation.

According to police, more than 118 personnel sustained injuries, including several senior officers such as the Special Commissioner of Police, Joint Commissioner of Police, Additional Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police and Assistant Commissioner of Police. Several women police personnel were also among those injured.

Around 60 protesters also reported injured

Police said around 60 protesters were also reported to have suffered injuries during the confrontation. It added that the medico-legal examination (MLC) of the remaining injured police personnel was still underway.

Authorities further claimed that between 15 and 20 government vehicles, along with other public property, were damaged during the incident.

Around 70 protesters detained, legal action initiated

Delhi Police said around 70 protesters have been detained following the violence. It added that an FIR is being registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other applicable laws for offences including rioting, assault on public servants and damage to public property.

Reiterating its commitment to maintaining law and order, Delhi Police said strict legal action would be taken against those found involved in unlawful and violent activities.

A day after violent confrontations during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march in Delhi, protesters associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gathered once again at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, declaring that their agitation would continue.

Supporters began arriving at the protest site early in the morning following the group’s call to resume demonstrations. Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel maintained a heavy security presence around Jantar Mantar to prevent any untoward incidents.

Monday’s march ended in clashes

The renewed protest comes after Monday’s march towards Parliament witnessed clashes between protesters and police, resulting in injuries on both sides.

According to Delhi Police, more than 100 police personnel and over 60 protesters were injured after security forces used tear gas shells and conducted a lathicharge to disperse demonstrators who had moved close to Parliament. Police also said around 70 protesters were detained and an FIR was registered against unidentified persons in connection with alleged violence and vandalism.

In its statement, Delhi Police alleged that protesters behaved in an “unruly, aggressive and violent” manner and ignored repeated warnings and prohibitory orders.

The protesters, however, accused the police of using excessive force during the march, claiming that several students were injured in the action.

Government holds talks with CJP leaders

Amid the tensions, the Centre initiated discussions with protest leaders on Monday.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda met CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka at his residence and heard the group’s demands.

During the meeting, CJP sought the unconditional release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and ₹1 crore compensation for families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET 2026 paper leak.

Following the meeting, JP Nadda said on X that CJP representatives had submitted a written petition and that the discussion was initiated after the organisation approached the government for dialogue.

Speaking after the meeting, Saurav Das said the minister had assured the delegation that their demands would be discussed at the appropriate level but had not made any commitments. He added that the protest would continue until their demands were addressed.

Sonam Wangchuk to continue fast

Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk announced that he would continue his hunger strike until youth representatives are allowed to meet Members of Parliament inside Parliament or MPs visit him at the Delhi hospital where he is currently admitted.

In a handwritten note shared by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, Wangchuk expressed solidarity with the protesters and said he had decided to continue his fast after witnessing what he described as the treatment of peacefully protesting youth.