Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh has alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi changed his demands during talks held at the party’s protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on Tuesday.

According to Singh, the government had agreed to Congress’ request for a discussion in Parliament on the NEET examination and other alleged paper leak issues. However, he claimed Rahul Gandhi later insisted that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should also resign.

Jitendra Singh recounts conversation with Rahul Gandhi

In a post on X, Jitendra Singh said he, along with Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, met Congress leaders after being sent by the government as the protest was led by senior leaders including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.

The minister claimed Rahul Gandhi initially told him the protest would be withdrawn if the government agreed to hold a discussion in Parliament on the NEET issue, other examination paper leaks and the protests related to them.

Singh said he obtained approval from the government’s top leadership and informed Rahul Gandhi that the Centre was ready to discuss all issues related to NEET and the associated movement in Parliament.

Minister alleges demands were later changed

Jitendra Singh alleged that after being informed of the government’s decision, Rahul Gandhi introduced an additional demand.

According to the minister, Rahul Gandhi then sought an assurance that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan would resign. Singh claimed the Congress leader stated that his demands now included both a parliamentary discussion and the education minister’s resignation.

The minister further alleged that when reminded that his original demand had only been for a discussion in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi responded that his demands had changed.

‘It is my prerogative,’ says minister

Jitendra Singh also claimed that when he urged Rahul Gandhi not to alter his position so quickly, the Congress leader replied that it was “his prerogative.”

The minister further said Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan informed Rahul Gandhi that the location was not appropriate for a sit-in protest. According to Singh, Rahul Gandhi responded that it was “his prerogative to sit wherever he wants.”

Congress MPs had earlier said the discussions between the two sides remained inconclusive and that the party’s demands had not been met.

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.