Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a Member of Parliament representing the Congress party, recently accused the Indian government of exhibiting fear after she and several other Congress leaders were detained by Delhi Police. The arrests occurred on July 21, 2026, during a protest close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence, focusing on the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper.

The Congress leaders had initiated a march from Rajaji Marg towards Lok Kalyan Marg, where they demanded accountability for the purported examination breach, action against the police response to student protestors, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest highlighted growing frustrations regarding the government’s handling of educational issues.

During her detainment, Priyanka Gandhi remarked on the actions of the government, stating, “They are cowards. They are scared. We are not scared of them. They are scared of us,” asserting that their concerns were ignored. Video footage showed Rahul Gandhi being escorted towards a police bus as law enforcement officials sought to disperse the crowd of demonstrators.

Congress Leaders Denounce Detentions and Call for Justice

Several senior Congress members, including Pawan Khera, voiced strong opposition to the police’s handling of the protest. Khera alleged that senior leaders, including Gandhi, had been improperly treated during the detentions. He emphasised the party’s resolve, stating, “Look at the way our leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, were manhandled. Is this the kind of environment we want in today’s country?” Khera affirmed that the Congress party would persist in its protests.

Randeep Singh Surjewala, another Congress MP, expressed similar sentiments during his time in a police van, describing the demo as just the inception of a more significant movement aimed at challenging the government over the alleged paper leak. His remarks highlighted the dissent among party members regarding governmental accountability.

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also critiqued the recent police detentions. He remarked that Congress leaders were advocating for justice on behalf of students and insisted on a parliamentary discussion surrounding the matter. Shivakumar affirmed the commitment to continuing their efforts until justice was served for those affected.

Parliamentary Disruptions and Ongoing Accountability Demands

The detentions of Congress leaders coincided with remarks from Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Jitendra Singh. He alleged that Rahul Gandhi had changed his position during discussions near the protest site. Singh claimed that Gandhi had initially agreed to terminate the sit-in if the government consented to a parliamentary discussion on the NEET issue, only to later stipulate the resignation of Minister Pradhan as an additional requirement.

In response, the Congress party has consistently demanded that the Centre take responsibility for the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and the police’s actions against student protestors. This situation has resulted in significant disruptions in both Houses of Parliament, with opposition members repeatedly demanding a focused debate on the examination controversy and the responses to the protesting students.

The unfolding developments underscore the tensions between the Congress party and the government regarding educational governance and student rights in India. As protests evolve, it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns raised by opposition leaders and the broader educational community.

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