Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, alongside Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, staged a sit-in protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi, on Tuesday, 21 July, demanding accountability over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and police action against protesting students. The demonstration came a day after a large-scale 'Sansad Chalo' march that ended in a police crackdown at Jantar Mantar.

The March and Sit-In

Congress workers assembled outside Kharge's residence at 10, Rajaji Marg on Tuesday afternoon before marching roughly a kilometre to the Prime Minister's home. The procession was led by Rahul Gandhi, in his capacity as Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP), and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a sitting Member of Parliament. The sit-in echoed demands first raised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) during Monday's protest, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities.

What Rahul Gandhi Demanded

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said: 'We have marched to PM Modi's house to demand answers from him for the brutalities against young students yesterday.' He further stated: 'The Government doesn't want to take any accountability nor does it want to have a debate on it in Parliament. PM and HM must resign for destroying the future of India's youth.' Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House earlier in the day, he called the police action against students 'completely unacceptable' and demanded an unconditional apology from the government. 'People are being beaten and thrashed. Why is the Prime Minister silent? He should speak up. He should apologise and stop this nonsense,' Gandhi said, flanked by party MPs including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Police Action Under Scrutiny

Delhi Police came under sharp criticism after scores of students were reportedly lathi-charged and tear-gassed during the CJP's 'Sansad Chalo' march to Parliament on Monday, 20 July. The CJP alleged that several participants were badly injured and left bleeding as a result of the police response. Delhi Police, however, maintained that the action was necessitated by what they described as 'unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour' by protesters. The conflicting accounts have deepened the political standoff over how the student demonstrations were handled.

The NEET-UG Controversy

The protests are rooted in allegations of widespread paper leaks in the NEET-UG medical entrance examination, which is administered nationally and determines admissions to undergraduate medical courses across India. Critics argue the alleged irregularities have compromised the futures of lakhs of aspirants who prepared for years. The controversy has intensified calls from the Opposition for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and a re-examination, though the government has not yet announced either measure. This is not the first time a high-stakes national entrance exam has faced paper-leak allegations, underscoring what Opposition leaders describe as a 'broken education system.'

What Comes Next

With Parliament in session, the Opposition is expected to press for a debate on the NEET controversy in both Houses. The government's response — or continued silence — on Rahul Gandhi's demand for ministerial resignations will likely define the next phase of this political confrontation. Student groups have indicated they will sustain pressure until formal accountability measures are announced.