NEET row: Congress workers besiege BJP office in Bengaluru, demand Pradhan's resignation
Synopsis
Both Congress and BJP workers were detained in Bengaluru on the same day — marching toward each other's party offices over the NEET row. The dual detentions capture how the examination controversy has turned into a full-blown street-level political battle in Karnataka, even as the national clamour for accountability grows louder.
Key Takeaways
Congress workers led by KPCC General Secretary S.
Manohar attempted to besiege the BJP state headquarters in Bengaluru on 22 July over alleged NEET irregularities.
Police deployed barricades and detained several Congress leaders and workers during the demonstration.
Manohar demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a transparent probe into the NEET paper leak.
Harish was surrounded by Congress workers upon arriving at the KPCC office.
Karnataka BJP leaders marching toward the KPCC headquarters in a counter-protest were also detained by police on the same day.
Congress said it will continue its agitation at state and national levels until students receive justice.
Congress workers in Bengaluru on Wednesday, 22 July staged a protest and attempted to lay siege to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s state headquarters, condemning alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The demonstration, led by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) General Secretary S. Manohar, was stopped by police using barricades, and several Congress leaders and workers were detained.
How the Protest Unfolded
Congress workers marched toward the BJP state office carrying placards and raising slogans against the Central government. Police intervened with barricades before demonstrators could reach the premises, detaining a number of Congress leaders and workers in the process.
Separately, senior BJP MLA B.P. Harish, who arrived directly at the KPCC headquarters, was surrounded by Congress workers the moment he stepped out of his vehicle. Workers raised slogans against the BJP as he alighted.
What Congress Leaders Said
Addressing the protesters, Manohar said that alleged irregularities — including question paper leaks and systemic failures in the conduct of the NEET examination — had severely undermined public confidence in India's education system.
'The future of millions of students has been put at stake. Instead of taking responsibility and acting against those involved in the examination irregularities, the Central government is attempting to evade accountability,' he said.
Manohar further demanded that Dharmendra Pradhan take moral responsibility for the failures in his department and resign from office. He also called for a comprehensive, transparent investigation and strict action against those found guilty.
BJP's Counter-Protest
The political confrontation cut both ways on Wednesday. Karnataka BJP leaders had separately marched toward the KPCC headquarters to protest against the Congress party over the same NEET row — and were also detained by police before reaching their destination. The twin detentions underline how sharply the NEET controversy has polarised political actors in the state.
Congress Vows to Continue Agitation
The Congress party stated it would persist with its agitation within the democratic framework at both the state and national levels until justice is delivered to affected students, the full truth behind the alleged NEET irregularities is brought to light, and stringent action is taken against those responsible. This comes amid a nationwide uproar over the NEET examination, with protests erupting across multiple states and the issue drawing sharp scrutiny in Parliament.
Point of View
Particularly in Congress-governed Karnataka. What is striking is the symmetry: both parties marched on each other's offices and both were stopped by police — suggesting that neither side wants resolution as much as it wants optics. The real accountability question — who authorised the alleged paper leak and what systemic failures enabled it — risks being drowned out by competitive street theatre. Until a credible, independent investigation reports findings, the political noise will continue to overshadow the students whose futures are genuinely at stake.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Congress workers protest outside the BJP office in Bengaluru?
Congress workers protested outside the BJP state headquarters in Bengaluru on 22 July to condemn alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, including question paper leaks, and to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The demonstration was led by KPCC General Secretary S. Manohar.
Were any Congress workers arrested or detained during the Bengaluru protest?
Yes, police stopped the march using barricades and detained several Congress leaders and workers before they could reach the BJP office. No details of formal arrests were immediately available.
What did KPCC General Secretary S. Manohar say at the protest?
Manohar said the alleged NEET irregularities had undermined public confidence in India's education system and put the futures of millions of students at risk. He demanded Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and a comprehensive, transparent investigation with strict action against the guilty.
Did the BJP also protest over the NEET row in Bengaluru on the same day?
Yes, Karnataka BJP leaders separately marched toward the KPCC headquarters to protest against the Congress party over the NEET row and were also detained by police before reaching their destination.
What is the Congress party's next course of action on NEET?
The Congress party has stated it will continue its agitation within the democratic framework at both the state and national levels until students receive justice, the full truth behind the NEET irregularities is established, and those responsible face stringent action.
