On July 22, opposition Members of Parliament staged a protest wearing black clothing in the premises of Parliament. This demonstration was aimed at expressing dissent towards the government’s policies, particularly concerning student issues. Notable participants included Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Akhilesh Yadav, the chief of the Samajwadi Party, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others.

Demands of Students Highlighted by Congress Leaders

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra articulated the legitimate demands of students, stating that they seek their rights amidst various challenges. She pointed out that while the education budget stands at Rs 1.4 lakh crores, substantial amounts are being written off—specifically Rs 16 lakh crores in loans for industrialists such as Adani and Ambani. Gandhi highlighted the recurring instances of examination paper leaks, underlining a systemic issue within the educational framework.

According to Gandhiji, the current state of affairs warrants peaceful protests, which should not be deemed undemocratic. She contended that the struggles faced by students and their treatment were, in fact, undemocratic. The protest aimed to raise awareness of the grievances plaguing the educational sector and the need for immediate intervention.

In conjunction with this protest, Congress MP Pawan Khera informed ANI that the attire of the opposition MPs symbolised a collective stand against the government’s handling of student issues. Khera specifically noted the opposition’s discontent regarding the insistence on the continuation of Dharmendra Pradhan in his ministerial role, labelling the government’s response to student unrest as inadequate and dismissive.

Congress Leaders’ Reactions to Government Action

Congress interim president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his views on the treatment of opposition leaders and activists by the authorities. On the prior day, he had indicated that the current government operates in a manner resembling a dictatorship, failing to respect elected representatives. He claimed that even those who protest within legal frameworks are subject to harassment.

Kharge further alleged that individuals associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are allegedly collaborating with police personnel without proper identification, potentially leading to the intimidation of both students and opposition members. He warned that should measures be taken against senior Congress leaders, a significant public movement would mobilise in response.

He reassured party members and supporters that fear would not deter them from continuing their struggle. Kharge iterated that the actions taken against prominent figures such as Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi would have repercussions. He affirmed the commitment of the Congress party and its allies in the INDIA bloc to persist in their fight against what they perceive as governmental overreach.

Background on Earlier Protests and Detentions

On July 18, 2023, multiple Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, were reportedly detained by Delhi Police during a demonstration at Lok Kalyan Marg. This pre-emptive action took place as part of a broader protest against governmental policies impacting students. Following the protests, the detained leaders were subsequently released.

The sequence of events reflects an ongoing struggle between the opposition and the ruling party in India, particularly surrounding issues related to education and student rights. As opposition MPs continue to voice their concerns, the public remains attentive to the developments that could influence future educational policies and governance in the country.

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