Delhi protest over NEET paper leak escalates, BJP criticises Congress leaders' tactics

NEW DELHI, July 22 — The protest against a purported leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper, which began at Jantar Mantar, took a dramatic turn on Tuesday when opposition leaders attempted to shift the demonstration toward the Prime Minister’s residence.

BJP lawmaker and Bollywood star Kangana Ranawt condemned the move, stating that redirecting the rally toward the Prime Minister’s house violated security norms and endangered both officials and citizens. She asked why the protest, already approved at a designated location, was being taken to a highly guarded area.

Ranawt also dismissed the opposition’s demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation, remarking that he is among the world’s most popular leaders and that such a demand was unfounded.

Congress figure Rahul Gandhi, together with senior colleagues Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, had assembled near the PM’s official quarters on Lok Kalyan Marg. Their agenda included a call for a parliamentary debate on the NEET leak and a demand that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign. Protesters shouted slogans aimed at the Prime Minister.

When police arrived to enforce the protest’s removal, Congress workers encircled the leaders. Gandhi lay flat on the ground to avoid arrest, but was subsequently detained along with other opposition members. After a short period of custody, all detained individuals were released.

The episode adds another layer of political friction to the ongoing unrest surrounding the NEET scandal, reflecting deepening divisions between the ruling party and opposition forces in the nation’s capital.