Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday, 21 July 2026 posted a detailed account on X alleging that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi shifted his demands mid-negotiation during a spontaneous dharna near Akbar Road, New Delhi, after the government had already accepted his initial condition for ending the protest.

Context

According to Dr. Singh's post, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and other senior leaders unexpectedly sat on a dharna with supporters near Akbar Road. The government, cognisant of the seniority of the delegation, dispatched Dr. Singh along with Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan to hold talks on the spot.

Dr. Singh wrote that Rahul Gandhi was first requested to end the protest because the site was not designated for dharnas and was causing inconvenience to the general public — 'जनसाधारण को काफी असुविधा भी पहुंच रही है' ('the general public was being considerably inconvenienced').

Policy Backdrop

NEET — the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test — has been the sole national entrance examination for undergraduate medical and dental admissions since the 2016 academic year. In 2024, widespread allegations of paper leaks and irregularities triggered large-scale student protests and sustained opposition demands for a re-examination and ministerial accountability. The controversy has continued to animate parliamentary and street-level politics.

Opposition parties in India have a long practice of organising dharnas near Parliament and central government offices to press for floor time on sensitive examination controversies. Governments have routinely responded by sending senior ministers for on-site negotiations and committing to parliamentary discussion.

The Disputed Negotiation

Dr. Singh's account states that Rahul Gandhi initially agreed to end the dharna on one condition: that the government commit to a parliamentary discussion on NEET and all related agitation issues. After obtaining clearance from 'top government leadership,' Dr. Singh says he conveyed that the demand had been accepted and the government was ready for such a discussion in Parliament.

According to the post, Rahul Gandhi then added a second demand — the resignation of the Union Education Minister — saying, 'अब मेरी दो मांगे हैं: संसद में चर्चा एवं केंद्रीय शिक्षा मंत्री का इस्तीफा' ('Now I have two demands: discussion in Parliament and the resignation of the Union Education Minister'). When reminded that only parliamentary discussion had been sought initially, Gandhi reportedly replied that his demands had changed. When the Home Secretary pointed out the site was not suitable for a dharna, Gandhi's response, as quoted by Dr. Singh, was that it was his prerogative where he sat.

Dr. Singh described the backtracking as 'unfortunate and contrary to every norm of democracy,' adding that Congress has, to date, not filed a formal notice under parliamentary rules to initiate discussion on NEET — even as it demands such a discussion.

What's Next

The government's stated position is that it remains ready to discuss NEET and related issues in Parliament. The key question now is whether Congress files a formal procedural notice to list the debate, and whether the government schedules parliamentary time accordingly. Any movement on the Union Education Minister's position, which Gandhi has now publicly demanded, will be closely watched. The episode is likely to sharpen the confrontation between the Treasury and Opposition benches in the ongoing session.