NEET row: BJP protests outside Gujarat Congress HQ in Ahmedabad
Synopsis
The NEET paper leak row spilled onto Ahmedabad's streets on 22 July, with BJP workers staging a counter-protest outside Congress HQ just hours after police detained 100 Congress leaders — including the state party president — during their own demonstration. With 2,000 police deployed and both sides mobilising, the controversy has moved well beyond Parliament into a ground-level political confrontation.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat BJP staged a sit-in outside Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan , Ahmedabad, on 22 July , led by state president Jagdish Vishwakarma .
An estimated 200–300 BJP workers participated; nearly 2,000 police personnel were deployed around the Congress office.
Earlier the same day, police detained state Congress president Amit Chavda , MLA Imran Khedawala , and around 100 Congress workers during their NEET protest march.
The protests follow Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's demonstration outside PM Modi's residence in New Delhi on Tuesday , where opposition leaders were also briefly detained.
The BJP accused Congress of targeting PM Modi's residence; Congress is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.
The Gujarat unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a sit-in protest outside the Congress headquarters, Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, 22 July, hours after Congress workers held demonstrations over the alleged NEET paper leak and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The counter-protest marked a sharp escalation of political tensions in the city, with nearly 2,000 police personnel deployed to prevent clashes between rival party workers.
BJP Counter-Protest at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan
Gujarat BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma led the demonstration outside Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, with an estimated 200 to 300 BJP workers in attendance. Protesters raised slogans including 'Rahul Gandhi, apologise', accusing the Indian National Congress (INC) of targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence during Tuesday's protest in New Delhi. Barricades remained in place around the Congress office throughout the demonstration, with police maintaining a heavy presence.
Security Arrangements and Police Deployment
Authorities significantly tightened security ahead of the BJP programme, deploying close to 2,000 police personnel around Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan. Senior officers supervising the arrangements included approximately 10 Deputy Commissioners of Police and two Joint Commissioners of Police, Sharad Singhal and Neeraj Budgujar. The scale of the deployment reflected the charged atmosphere following the morning's Congress protest at the same location.
Congress Protest, Scuffle, and Detentions
Earlier on Wednesday, Congress workers had organised a sit-in and protest march from Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan over the alleged NEET paper leak. Police stopped the march shortly after it set off, triggering a scuffle between protesters and security personnel. Some Congress workers reportedly climbed onto police vehicles during the confrontation. Police subsequently detained state Congress president Amit Chavda, MLA Imran Khedawala, and around 100 Congress leaders and workers, including women protesters.
Wider Political Context
The Ahmedabad protests are part of a broader national campaign by the opposition over the NEET controversy. On Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and several opposition leaders demonstrated outside Prime Minister Modi's residence in New Delhi, pressing their demand for Education Minister Pradhan's resignation. Delhi Police detained the opposition leaders during that protest before releasing them later in the day. This is the latest in a series of confrontations between the ruling party and the opposition as the NEET paper leak controversy continues to dominate national politics.
What Happens Next
Political temperatures are likely to remain elevated as the opposition maintains pressure on the Centre over the NEET issue. The detentions in Ahmedabad are expected to draw further condemnation from Congress, while the BJP's counter-mobilisation signals it intends to contest the opposition's narrative on the ground.
Point of View
Effectively shifting the story from the paper leak to Congress conduct. Detaining 100 Congress workers — including the state party president — hands the opposition a ready-made grievance narrative, potentially amplifying rather than containing the controversy. The deployment of 2,000 police for what were essentially competing sit-ins also raises questions about proportionality. At its core, both parties are fighting for ownership of public outrage over NEET, and neither appears willing to let the other hold the street unchallenged.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the BJP stage a protest outside the Congress office in Ahmedabad?
The BJP held a counter-protest outside Congress headquarters, Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, in Ahmedabad on 22 July to push back against Congress demonstrations over the alleged NEET paper leak. The BJP accused Congress of targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence during Tuesday's protest in New Delhi and demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi.
What happened during the Congress NEET protest in Ahmedabad on 22 July?
Congress workers staged a sit-in and attempted a protest march from Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan over the alleged NEET paper leak. Police stopped the march shortly after it began, leading to a scuffle in which some workers climbed onto police vehicles. Around 100 Congress leaders and workers were subsequently detained, including state Congress president Amit Chavda and MLA Imran Khedawala.
Who is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan?
The Indian National Congress and several opposition parties are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi led a demonstration outside PM Modi's residence in New Delhi on Tuesday pressing this demand.
How large was the police deployment in Ahmedabad during the protests?
Nearly 2,000 police personnel were deployed around Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan in Ahmedabad to prevent confrontations between BJP and Congress workers. Senior officers present included approximately 10 Deputy Commissioners of Police and Joint Commissioners of Police Sharad Singhal and Neeraj Budgujar.
What is the NEET paper leak controversy?
The NEET paper leak refers to allegations that question papers for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) were leaked ahead of the examination, compromising its integrity. The controversy has triggered nationwide protests by students and political opposition, with Congress demanding the Union Education Minister's resignation and a broader investigation.
