Congress demonstrated in Delhi demanding resignation of PM Modi and Education Minister on NEET issue. Police detained many leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and later released them. Akhilesh Yadav also participated in the protest.
New Delhi [भारत]July 21 (ANI): Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were released from custody along with several other leaders. Delhi Police had taken this action on the party’s protest on Lok Kalyan Marg, in which the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was demanded. Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and several opposition leaders emerged from the Chhatrasal Stadium, where they were detained by the police.
Congress Parliamentary Party President Sonia Gandhi reached Mandir Marg police station, where Priyanka Gandhi was kept in custody. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, KC Venugopal and Pawan Kheda protested at Lok Kalyan Marg. Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivkumar also joined the protest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence is on Lok Kalyan Marg. Amid rumors of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) joining hands with the NDA, which the party has denied, MP Supriya Sule also joined the Congress in protest.
Congress leaders said they were not allowed to raise the issue in Parliament; Hence, they protested near PM Modi’s official residence on Monday against the police action on the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) ‘Sansad Chalo’ protest.
War of words between government and opposition
In an ex-post, Rahul Gandhi said he was marching to PM Modi’s house “to demand answers for the brutality committed against young students yesterday”. He said, “The government does not want to take any accountability, nor does it want to debate this in Parliament. The PM and the Home Minister should resign for destroying the future of India’s youth.”
However, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh met and spoke to Rahul Gandhi. He alleged that despite the government’s assurance of holding a parliamentary discussion on the NEET-UG examination, Rahul Gandhi went back on his word and continued the protest on Lok Kalyan Marg. Speaking to ANI, Singh claimed that Rahul Gandhi had initially demanded parliamentary discussion during his talks with him. However, after getting assurance from the government, the Congress leader said he also wanted the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said opposition leaders had given notice for discussion in Parliament, but there was no debate on the issue. Venugopal said, “The government showed its brutality yesterday. Today, they have repeated this brutality… They are completely undemocratic. Jitendra Singh asked us to give notice, and then they will think of discussion, which we do not want. We had given notice yesterday also, and today also. Now all these are bogus things.”
Opposition leaders condemned the police action
Meanwhile, opposition leaders strongly criticized the detention of Congress leaders. Rahul Gandhi said the “fight for justice for students” would continue despite pressure from the Centre. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that the police action against Congress leaders was due to “fear” of the government. The Congress chief on Monday hit out at PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over the “lathi charge” on protesters.
Kharge wrote, “The dictatorial government is trembling with fear. First they ruined the education system, ruined the future of lakhs of children, got more than 150 exam papers leaked, caused the death of 25 students, and when the students took to the streets demanding justice, they lathicharged and showered batons on them! They closed the gates of Parliament, imprisoned MPs, ignored the opposition’s demand for a united debate, education. Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was not dismissed, Modi ji remained silent on the atrocities on students, the Home Minister who controls Delhi Police did not give any statement despite our demands!!”
He alleged that Rahul Gandhi and other MPs were “forcibly removed” during the protest at Lok Kalyan Marg. Kharge said, “Now, when Congress and opposition MPs are sitting on a dharna in front of the Prime Minister’s residence, our MPs have been forcibly dragged away. Leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi has been forcibly removed. What kind of democracy is this?”
Taking a dig at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on Twitter, “Another name for dictatorship is Amitshahi.”
Congress leader Pawan Kheda demanded an apology from PM Modi and Amit Shah. In a self-made video, Khera said, “Our demands are very clear: We will not allow lathicharge on students, nor will we allow cases to be registered against them. We will not allow Dharmendra Pradhan to remain in his post. The Home Minister should apologize and resign, and the Prime Minister should apologise.”
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also condemned the detention of opposition leaders, saying it was not the conduct of a “confident government”.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the protest will continue until the students get justice. He told ANI, “It is unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi (were detained). We are all fighting for the interest of the students of this country. We want justice. We want this to be discussed in Parliament. There are more than 100 MPs here. No one is afraid of being arrested. This movement will continue until justice is given.”
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy termed the detention of Congress leaders as an “attack on the democratic right to protest”. He wrote on Twitter, “The entire Congress family and the country stand firmly with our youth who are demanding accountability from the central government. You can jail us, you can try to suppress us, but you cannot suppress the anger of millions of young Indians fighting for justice and accountability.”
Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, “The way people were arrested, Rahul Gandhi was dragged, it does not suit a democracy. The Congress party, Rahul Gandhi and the entire country will provide justice to the students, no matter what happens. The government should give up its stubbornness.”
Congress leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir said the police action amounted to “harassment”. He told ANI, “The leader of the opposition was forcibly dragged even though the political party responsible had not taken any untoward action, and then he was taken in different vehicles to various far-flung places across Delhi. This amounts to harassment. However, neither the Congress party nor the youth of the country will be afraid of this.”
Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said, “Rahul Gandhi and all of us were taken into custody and brought to Chhatrasal Stadium. The demand is the same. Resignation of the Education Minister, as well as a debate on it in Parliament.”
Andhra Pradesh Congress chief YS Sharmila criticized the Center for alleged “mistreatment” of Priyanka Gandhi. YS Sharmila wrote on
As Akhilesh Yadav and Supriya Sule joined the protest, Purnia MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav called it a symbol of unity in the opposition camp.
Congress leader Abhishek Dutt said, “What is the reason? Why is Dharmendra Pradhan not resigning? PM Modi has forgotten his old speeches. He should remember what he used to say in 2012-13. He was the person who said I will provide employment to the youth. Instead, no employment, paper leaks were given.”
After the detention of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, Congress workers also protested in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand.
Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti also came out in support of the Congress, calling it a “stain on democracy”. Mufti posted, “The shameful arrest of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi is another stain on India’s democracy. A government that is afraid of questions inevitably resorts to silencing its critics. The irony is that Rahul Gandhi’s message to Gen Z, ‘Don’t be afraid’, has been fulfilled. Today the government looks scared of the leader of the opposition. Democracy is being strangled by brute force. It is difficult to confront those in power.” The time has come.”
BJP called the protest ‘inappropriate’
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said the protest was “inappropriate” as the Congress did not have permission. BJP MP Sambit Patra said that the Prime Minister’s residence has a certain protocol and sanctity. Patra said, “Today, we saw how Rahul Gandhi, along with several Congress party leaders, suddenly sat on a dharna outside the gate of the Prime Minister’s residence. In a democracy, dharnas and protests are the hallmark of the system. However, where and how should protests be held? What are the rules governing protests? By what rules is the country run? The leader of the opposition should be aware of this. Rahul ji is no ordinary leader; he is the leader of the opposition in the country. He knows very well that protests in Delhi especially There are designated areas and places for demonstrations.”
He further said, “Despite this, holding a protest with a large crowd right outside the gate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence – suddenly, without permission, and in disregard of the law – is inappropriate. Democracy does not work like this.”
He said the government was not against protests, but they should be in areas designated for protests. The BJP leader said, “The Prime Minister’s residence is a high-threat area; it has a certain protocol and sanctity. Under such circumstances, what if undesirable elements infiltrate the crowd, trying to take advantage of the situation or compromise the security? Would this be fair to democracy? Is it right to expose the Prime Minister’s premises and residence to such security risks? Is it fair to play with his security? I believe that as the leader of the opposition, Rahul Gandhiji should think deeply about the fact that he has some responsibilities and he should carry them out effectively. No one is saying that there should not be protests or protests; there are established ways and places to organize them.”
The entire ruckus happened after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ protest on Monday was met with police action in Central Delhi. (ANI)
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