Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav Detained During Protest Near PM Modi’s Residence

Police on Tuesday forcefully removed Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and several opposition MPs from their dharna site near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence in New Delhi.

The protesting MPs marched towards Lok Kalyan Marg demanding action over alleged examination paper leaks and police action against student protesters before police detained them in a bus.

Rahul Gandhi sat on the road during the protest before police personnel surrounded him and escorted him, along with other opposition leaders, into a police vehicle.

The demonstration came a day after a students’ march to Parliament witnessed police intervention.

Earlier in the day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi led party workers from Kharge’s residence towards the Prime Minister’s residence, intensifying the Opposition’s campaign over education-related issues.

Before police detained him, Rahul Gandhi appealed to people to join the dharna and accused the government of failing to address students’ concerns.

The Congress reiterated its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and sought a discussion in Parliament on the alleged examination paper leaks.

Talks Fail

Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh met Rahul Gandhi at the protest site in an attempt to resolve the impasse.

Congress leaders said the discussions remained inconclusive as the party insisted on the Education Minister’s resignation along with a parliamentary debate on the issue.

Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain said the party would continue its protest until the government met its demands.

Jitendra Singh said the government was prepared to discuss education-related issues in Parliament, alleging that the Congress later made the Minister’s resignation a precondition.

The protest also received support from NCP(SP) MP Supriya Sule, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP(SP) president Sharad Pawar and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal.

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