Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Detained During Congress Protest March to PM Residence Over NEET Paper Leak

NEW DELHI — In a major political escalation over national examination irregularities, the Delhi Police on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, detained Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. The senior opposition figures were intercepted while leading a protest march toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.

The demonstration was organized to protest against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak controversy and to condemn recent police crackdowns on student demonstrators.

High-Voltage March Intercepted

The protest march commenced from the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, where hundreds of opposition workers and leaders assembled before advancing toward the Prime Minister's residence. Heavy security forces and multi-layered barricades were deployed along the route to halt the movement of the demonstrators.

During the demonstration, Rahul Gandhi outlined key demands aimed at addressing the ongoing student crisis:

• Parliamentary Debate: An immediate, dedicated discussion on the NEET examination irregularities on the floor of Parliament.

• Ministerial Resignation: The immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over institutional failures in conducting national entrance tests.

• Prime Ministerial Accountability: Direct accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the police action against peaceful student protesters.

Talks Collapse Leading to Detentions

Prior to the police action, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh arrived at the protest site near the security barricades to initiate dialogue with Rahul Gandhi. However, the talks collapsed after opposition representatives insisted on a concrete assurance regarding a parliamentary debate and executive accountability.

Following the breakdown of negotiations, police personnel moved in to clear the area, detaining Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and several other opposition MPs. The leaders were placed into police buses and taken to local police stations to restore public order, signaling a deepening political gridlock between the government and the opposition.