The Delhi Police detained several Congress leaders on July 21, as they protested against the government on Lok Kalyan Marg. The leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, gathered to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following a police action deemed excessive during a student protest the previous day.

During the demonstration, Kharge reaffirmed the party’s solidarity with the students’ demands and condemned the government’s alleged use of force against demonstrators. He stated on social media that the government’s authoritarianism would not go unanswered, calling for accountability from both Modi and Shah regarding their treatment of the youth.

In comments made while under police detention, former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “terrorism” against students. He expressed discontent over the government’s apparent disregard for student grievances.

Accusations of Police High-Handedness

Congress MP K Suresh characterised the police response as heavy-handed, claiming that their actions towards the protesters were brutal. He noted that the Prime Minister and Home Minister have remained silent amid these escalating tensions and addressed the media, expressing frustration at their lack of response to the recent violence against students by Delhi police.

Additional Congress leaders, including Manickam Tagore, claimed that their attempts to raise the issue in Parliament were thwarted. The Speaker’s office allegedly declined their request for a debate, prompting the leaders to take their appeal directly to the Prime Minister’s residence.

Tagore articulated their demand for Pradhan’s resignation and insisted that the Prime Minister must take responsibility for the police’s actions. He asserted that Congress leaders sought to deliver their message directly to Modi, emphasising the perceived injustice faced by both students and MPs.

Challenges Faced by Protesters and Opposition Members

Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa highlighted the difficulties faced by the MPs, drawing a comparison to the plight of students. He expressed concern about the treatment meted out to those participating in protests, indicating a broader issue regarding free speech and the right to protest.

Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain reported that efforts by party leaders to discuss the use of force against students in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were met with opposition. He indicated that the Prime Minister’s absence from Parliament further compounded the leaders’ frustrations.

Imraan Masood, another party MP, described disturbing instances where students were reportedly assaulted during the protests. He noted that the environment was becoming increasingly hostile for those seeking to voice their concerns and questioned where else they could turn for support.

The protests coincided with adjournments in both legislative houses as the opposition pressed for a discussion on various education issues, including the NEET-UG paper leak. Kharge had previously raised concerns regarding the police’s violent actions against demonstrators earlier in the week.

In a subsequent post on social media, Rahul Gandhi reiterated the need for accountability from the Prime Minister following the alleged brutal treatment of students. Congress accuses the government of avoiding discussions on accountability in Parliament.

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