Rahul Gandhi Detained During Protest Outside PM Modi’s Residence; Opposition Leaders Taken Into Police Custody

Rahul Gandhi detained during a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on Tuesday, as Delhi Police removed several Opposition leaders participating in a demonstration over alleged police action against students and the demand for accountability on examination-related issues.

A major political confrontation unfolded in New Delhi on Tuesday evening after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and several senior Opposition leaders were detained by the Delhi Police while protesting near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence. The demonstration, led by the Congress and supported by several INDIA bloc leaders, centred on recent police action against students protesting over examination-related issues and alleged paper leaks.

Television visuals and videos shared widely on social media showed police personnel removing Rahul Gandhi and other leaders from the protest site. Similar footage also showed Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra being escorted into a police vehicle, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Supriya Sule and several other Opposition leaders were also taken into custody.

The protest drew significant political attention as it took place close to the Prime Minister’s official residence at Lok Kalyan Marg, a high-security zone where public demonstrations are generally restricted.

Protest follows student agitation

The Congress said the protest was organised to demand accountability over the alleged use of force against students and youth during demonstrations held a day earlier in the national capital. Party leaders accused the government of failing to address concerns related to examination irregularities and paper leak cases while also criticising the police action against protesters.

According to party leaders, the Opposition had sought a discussion on these issues in Parliament but claimed their demands were not being adequately addressed. They said the march towards the Prime Minister’s residence was intended to press for greater political accountability.

Rahul Gandhi had appealed to supporters to join the demonstration, describing the issue as one affecting students and families across the country. Congress leaders maintained that their protest was peaceful and aimed at highlighting concerns over the handling of education-related issues.

Police intervene near high-security zone

Delhi Police deployed additional security personnel as protesters approached the area surrounding the Prime Minister’s residence. Officials later began removing demonstrators from the site, citing security concerns and restrictions applicable to the high-security zone.

Visuals from the protest showed police personnel lifting and escorting Rahul Gandhi after he sat on the road during the demonstration. Several Congress workers formed a human chain around him before police separated the group and detained those present.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also seen resisting while being escorted to a police bus. Similar scenes unfolded as several MPs and party workers were taken away from the protest location.

Authorities have not immediately released detailed information regarding where all detained leaders were taken after being removed from the site.

Government cites security concerns

Government sources described the protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence as an unprecedented development involving a sitting Leader of the Opposition. According to officials, security protocols around the Prime Minister’s residence required immediate police intervention once protesters gathered in the restricted area.

Officials maintained that security agencies acted in accordance with established procedures designed to protect sensitive government installations.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also criticised the protest, alleging that demonstrations near the Prime Minister’s residence could compromise security arrangements.

Opposition accuses government of avoiding debate

Congress leaders rejected the government’s criticism and insisted that the protest remained peaceful throughout. They argued that repeated attempts to raise student-related issues inside Parliament had not resulted in meaningful discussion.

Senior Congress leaders reiterated demands for a debate on examination irregularities and accountability over recent incidents involving students. Some leaders also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the handling of paper leak cases.

Party representatives said discussions between government representatives and Opposition leaders during the protest did not produce any agreement, after which police moved in to disperse the gathering.

Other Opposition leaders join demonstration

The protest saw participation from several leaders across the INDIA bloc. Apart from Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, NCP leader Supriya Sule, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and several Members of Parliament joined the demonstration.

Videos circulating online showed Akhilesh Yadav being driven away in a police vehicle while interacting with those accompanying the convoy. The visuals quickly gained traction across social media platforms as political reactions poured in from various parties.

Several state-level Congress leaders and party workers were also detained during the operation carried out by Delhi Police.

_____________________________________________

Also read | Salman Khan Responds To Health Concerns With Cryptic Instagram Post After Fans Express Worry

_____________________________________________

Parliament disruptions continue

The protest came during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, where Opposition parties have repeatedly sought discussions on examination-related controversies, including alleged paper leaks and concerns raised by students.

Proceedings in both Houses witnessed repeated disruptions as Opposition MPs pressed for debates on the issue. Government ministers, meanwhile, maintained that appropriate action had already been initiated wherever irregularities had been reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also referred to concerns surrounding examination paper leaks during a meeting with NDA MPs, stressing that preventing such incidents remains a national responsibility and assuring that agencies have acted against those responsible.

Political temperature expected to remain high

Tuesday’s developments have intensified the political confrontation between the ruling NDA and the Opposition over education-related issues and the handling of recent protests.

With Parliament still in session and both sides maintaining sharply different positions, further debates and political demonstrations are expected in the coming days. The incident is likely to remain a major point of discussion both inside Parliament and across the country’s political landscape as leaders continue to exchange allegations over accountability, public protests and the government’s response.