Jitendra Singh meets Rahul Gandhi as Congress protests NEET leaks outside PM's house
Synopsis
Congress took its NEET paper-leak protest to PM Modi's doorstep on 21 July, with Rahul Gandhi and top party leaders staging a sit-in at Lok Kalyan Marg. In an unusual move, PMO Minister Jitendra Singh walked to the protest site for direct talks — a signal that the government is feeling the political heat, even as no accountability has been fixed for the leak.
Key Takeaways
Dr Jitendra Singh , MoS in the PMO, met Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders at the protest site outside the PM's residence on 21 July .
Congress leaders including Priyanka Gandhi , KC Venugopal , Jairam Ramesh , and DK Shivakumar participated in the sit-in dharna at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg .
The party is demanding accountability for the NEET paper leak and an apology for the alleged police crackdown on students on 20 July .
Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted and adjourned for the day amid Congress protests over the issue.
Samajwadi Party MPs and the CJP also held separate protests, reflecting broader opposition mobilisation on the paper-leak issue.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Dr Jitendra Singh, on Tuesday, 21 July walked up to the protest site outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi, to hold direct talks with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other senior Congress leaders staging a sit-in dharna. The outreach came as the Indian National Congress (INC) escalated its campaign over the NEET paper leak controversy and the alleged police crackdown on protesting students.
How the Protest Unfolded
The march began earlier in the day when Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and several Congress leaders assembled outside party president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence at 10, Rajaji Marg. From there, the group walked roughly a kilometre to the Prime Minister's official home, where they sat in dharna demanding government accountability. Among the prominent faces at the protest were KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, and DK Shivakumar.
What the Government Did
Dr Jitendra Singh arrived at the protest site purportedly in his capacity as the government's representative, lending an ear to the demonstrators' demands. Political observers described the move as a tactful attempt to open channels of communication with the agitating groups. The government has not yet issued a formal response to Congress's demand for an apology over what the party called an 'insincere and insensitive' approach to the students' cause.
Congress's Core Demands
The Congress has been pressing the Centre on two fronts: first, why no one has been held accountable for the NEET paper leak to date; and second, why police reportedly resorted to lathi charges and tear-gas shelling against protesting students on Monday, 20 July. The party has demanded an urgent parliamentary debate on both issues. Lok Sabha proceedings were also disrupted on Tuesday and eventually adjourned for the day as Congress members pressed for answers.
Broader Opposition Mobilisation
The Congress sit-in follows a wave of opposition activity on the paper-leak issue. A day earlier, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) conducted a 'Chalo Sansad' protest, while Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs undertook a foot march from Parliament to Jantar Mantar, also demanding government accountability over examination irregularities. The convergence of multiple opposition parties on the same issue signals growing political pressure on the ruling dispensation ahead of the monsoon session.
What Happens Next
With Dr Jitendra Singh's visit to the protest site, the government has signalled a willingness to engage, though no concrete commitments have been reported. Congress is expected to continue its agitation unless the Centre provides a formal response on NEET accountability and the conduct of police during student protests. The matter is also likely to resurface when Parliament reconvenes.
Point of View
The Centre's outreach looks more like damage control than genuine engagement. The real test will be whether any official faces consequences for the examination irregularities — something that has not happened yet.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Congress protest outside PM Modi's residence on 21 July?
Congress staged a sit-in dharna at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg to demand government accountability over the NEET paper leak and to protest the alleged police lathi charge and tear-gas shelling on students on 20 July. The party accused the Centre of being 'insincere and insensitive' to students' concerns.
Who represented the government at the protest site?
Minister of State in the PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, visited the protest site and held talks with Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders, reportedly acting as the government's representative. No formal commitments were announced following the meeting.
Which Congress leaders participated in the sit-in?
Prominent Congress leaders at the protest included Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge (from whose residence the march began), KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, and DK Shivakumar.
What is the NEET paper leak controversy?
The NEET paper leak refers to alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), India's medical college entrance examination, where question papers were reportedly leaked ahead of the exam. Opposition parties have demanded that those responsible be identified and held accountable, arguing that no action has been taken to date.
Did other opposition parties also protest over the paper leak?
Yes. A day before the Congress march, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) held a 'Chalo Sansad' protest, and Samajwadi Party MPs undertook a foot march from Parliament to Jantar Mantar, both demanding government accountability on examination paper leaks.
