Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the protest held outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on Tuesday, accusing the Opposition of using students for political purposes amid the controversy over the NEET paper leak and other examination-related issues.

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several Congress leaders and workers staged the protest, raising concerns over the alleged NEET paper leak and other examination leaks. The demonstration also highlighted the alleged police action against students who participated in a march to Parliament organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) a day earlier.

The protest continued until the evening before police detained Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other leaders. They were later released the same night.

Pradhan says Parliament discussion was offered

Responding to the protest, Mr Pradhan alleged that the Congress was attempting to create disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament by turning students into political tools. He also claimed the demonstration violated security protocols and caused inconvenience to the public.

The minister referred to remarks made by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who had earlier said he spoke with Rahul Gandhi during the protest. According to Mr Singh, the Centre agreed to hold a discussion in Parliament on the paper leak issue, but Rahul Gandhi later added another demand after that assurance.

Mr Pradhan said the government had already expressed its willingness to hold a comprehensive discussion on the issue in Parliament, but alleged that the Congress preferred political confrontation over democratic debate.

Centre reiterates commitment to students

The Education Minister said the government remains committed to discussing the NEET controversy and addressing the concerns of students and young people through Parliament.

In a post on X, Mr Pradhan said students deserve certainty, solutions and accountability rather than political confrontation. He added that the Centre remains committed to delivering reforms and answering students’ concerns while working to strengthen the examination system.

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday placed five demands before the Centre after he and several senior Congress leaders were detained during a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy.

The developments came after a day of political confrontation in the national capital, with the Opposition intensifying its protests over action taken against student demonstrators.

Rahul Gandhi demands resignations and reforms

While in detention, Rahul Gandhi released a video message outlining five demands for the government. He called for the resignations of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the controversy.

He also demanded action against police personnel accused of assaulting students during Monday’s protests and sought the withdrawal of cases registered against students.

Rahul Gandhi further asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise for the crackdown on protesters, sought a discussion on the issue in Parliament, and called for education and examination reforms at the earliest.

Congress leaders detained during protest

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several Congress leaders were detained by Delhi Police while staging a sit-in outside the Prime Minister’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg. They were later released in the evening.

Rahul Gandhi was taken to Chhatrasal Stadium, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was taken to Mandir Marg police station. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi visited Priyanka Gandhi during her detention.

Questioning the country’s education system, Rahul Gandhi alleged that recurring examination paper leaks and rising education costs had created serious concerns for students and their families. He also said the Opposition wanted the matter to be discussed in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Government accuses Congress of politicising the issue

Earlier in the day, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh met Rahul Gandhi at the protest site and held discussions for around 30 minutes.

Later, Singh alleged that Rahul Gandhi had changed his demands after the government agreed to discuss the NEET issue in Parliament, claiming the Congress leader subsequently insisted on the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Responding to the protest, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of exploiting students for political purposes. He said the government had already expressed its willingness to hold a comprehensive discussion in Parliament and alleged that the Opposition was choosing political confrontation over democratic debate.

The political confrontation is expected to continue as the Opposition presses the government over the alleged examination paper leak issue.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted from Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Tuesday evening after the Delhi High Court directed his immediate transfer for further treatment.

Hospital authorities said Wangchuk was discharged from VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital at 6:40 pm and handed over to a medical team from Medanta in compliance with the court’s order issued on July 21.

Court orders transfer and continuous monitoring

A bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed that Wangchuk be shifted to Medanta Hospital without delay.

The court also instructed the hospital’s director to constitute a team of doctors with the required expertise to continuously monitor his health. It said the medical team should administer treatment in accordance with accepted medical protocols, which Wangchuk must follow.

The order came on an appeal filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, challenging an earlier High Court decision that had declined to interfere with his treatment at Safdarjung Hospital or permit his transfer to Medanta.

Medical condition stable at discharge

According to Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk’s vital parameters were stable at the time of discharge.

However, doctors said pancytopenia continued to persist and his serum potassium level was recorded at 3.4 mEq/L.

The hospital added that all medical records, investigation reports and treatment documents were handed over to the Medanta medical team to ensure continuity of care.

Court cites constitutional rights

In its order, the Delhi High Court observed that Wangchuk should be allowed to receive treatment at a hospital of his choice, saying such a decision was protected under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

Wangchuk has been on an indefinite fast since June 28 over alleged examination irregularities.