New Delhi [भारत]July 21 (ANI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday warned that the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament will be a 'washout' if the government continues to refuse to discuss the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and police action against protesters. He also demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah give a statement in Parliament on this issue.
Speaking to ANI after opposition leaders joined the protests in the national capital, Ramesh said the joint stand adopted by the opposition parties reflects the growing concern over the handling of the exam controversy and alleged police excesses against students. Ramesh said, "The opposition unity and solidarity was displayed in a very powerful and impressive manner. Our demand has been, and will be, that the Home Minister give a statement and have a detailed discussion about the education system, the examination system and the atrocities committed against the students by the Delhi Police yesterday. Also, we demand the resignation of the Education Minister... However, I do not see that happening. If the government continues with this mentality, the Parliament session will definitely be washed out."
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha also supported the opposition's protest, calling the students' agitation a natural public movement rather than a politically organized campaign. Jha said, "Let me tell you one thing: It is not just the opposition that has come together; I have seen many protest movements in the last 20 years. I also study these subjects at the university level, yet I have never seen such a natural, spontaneous gathering of people. This is a direct challenge to the establishment... No matter how much you try to whitewash. Just start with accountability."
The comments came hours after Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other Congress leaders were detained by Delhi Police while protesting near Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress had taken out a march from Rajaji Marg demanding accountability on NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, police action against student protesters and resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Several party leaders and workers were taken into custody as the police dispersed the protesters.
The protest followed a clash between Delhi Police and protesters during a march on Monday over the paper leak. The incident has created a political storm and led to repeated disruptions in both houses of Parliament.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh accused Rahul Gandhi of changing his demands after the government agreed to discuss issues related to NEET and student agitation in Parliament. Singh claimed that Gandhi later insisted on the resignation of the Education Minister as an additional condition and refused to end the strike.
However, the Congress has maintained the stance that the government should accept responsibility for the paper leak, initiate a comprehensive discussion on the education system in Parliament and respond to allegations of excessive police action against student protesters. The opposition has indicated that it will continue its protest inside and outside Parliament until its demands are met. (ANI)
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