LIVE: All Congress leaders, CJP protesters released from detention; Wangchuk shifted to Medanta
Rahul, Priyanka, Akhilesh stage surprise sit-in outside PM Modi's residence, demanding his resignation; detained for hours after talks with govt fail
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav were on Tuesday (July 21) evening removed from outside the Prime Minister's official residence in New Delhi where they were staging a sit-in protest demanding his resignation over the police action against students during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)'s protest march the day before. The leaders were detained for hours before being released late in the evening.
The protest came in response to the pitched battle that ensued between protesters and police personnel during the CJP-led ‘Sansad Chalo’ rally to Parliament on Monday, which was also the first day of the Monsoon Session, held to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
According to Delhi Police, more than 118 police personnel sustained injuries, while the number of injured protesters was 60. A young woman injured in police action is on ventilator support at the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, PTI quoted hospital sources as saying on Tuesday. The woman sustained injuries on Monday.
Rahul, Priyanka stage sit-in
On Tuesday, the Gandhi siblings, accompanied by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, protested outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Kalyan Marg residence demanding his resignation. They were joined by several party MPs and leaders, who raised slogans against Modi.
The Congress leaders earlier met some of the students injured in Monday's police action at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital. Despite Monday's police action, protesters camped at Jantar Mantar through the night braving heavy rains. On Tuesday morning, volunteers cleaned the protest site, while CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke apologised to supporters injured in the police action.
'Girls beaten up by male police officers'
Heavy security remained in place around the protest venue as volunteers were seen cleaning the stage, the only structure left standing after police removed the tents and other temporary installations on Monday.
In an X post, Dipke apologised to those injured in the crackdown.
"I apologise to all our supporters, especially the girls who were brutally beaten up by male police officers. We could have done better. I could have done better to protect you from the inhumane actions of the Delhi Police," he wrote.
"To protect one Dharmendra Pradhan, who is responsible for the deaths of more than 20 students, the government was willing to spill the blood of many more young students," Dipke alleged.
"If you were injured and see this, please DM me. I want to speak to you personally and apologise. We will keep fighting for all of you," he said in another post, while separately describing the developments as, "Not a democracy." CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike had entered its 24th day.
"Sonam Wangchuk is on the 24th day of his hunger strike. He is still fighting for us. We won't stop. Pradhan has to be sacked," Ranka said in a post on X.
Monday's protest
Monday saw thousands of protesters, carrying placards and the tricolour, fanning out across the city and chanting slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", "Jai Bhim, "Vande Mataram" and "Dharmendra Pradhan Istifa Do".
As the Delhi Police cracked down on the protesters, the CJP alleged brutality and accused the security personnel of using excessive force against protesters during its "Sansad Chalo" march, alleging that several students were injured and Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, was pushed around. CJP also claimed that pellet guns were used on protesters.
Police instead accused the protesters of attacking security personnel with stones and other objects, attempting to breach barricades and vandalising government property.
FIR filed, security tightened
Delhi Police have registered four FIRs so far and are in the process of filing two more in connection with violence, vandalism and other incidents during the "Sansad Chalo", PTI said quoting sources.
Security has also been beefed up across the national capital with heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel visible at sensitive locations.
Read our related stories:
A warning shot for 2029? Why Delhi protests hold key for Opposition too
Why CJP’s protest stands apart from previous mass movements
CJP protests in pictures: The day ‘Chalo Sansad’ march turned Delhi into a battlefield
CJP conundrum: Is it just a political 'pest' to get swatted away?
Follow this space for more live updates from the protest and also Parliament's Monsoon Session.
Live Updates
- 21 July 2026 11:30 AM IST
Govt stands with students on NEET: PM at NDA meet
Ahead of the Parliament session, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi told NDA MPs that the government "stands with the students" amid concerns over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and called for strict action against those responsible.
Speaking to reporters after the NDA Parliamentary Party's 'Mangal Milan' meeting, Rijiju said the Prime Minister stressed that paper leaks are a national concern and should not be politicised.
"On the NEET exam, the PM said we stand with the students. Those involved in paper leaks must face strict action, in consultation with top lawyers. Paper leaks are a matter of national concern and must not be politicised. Strict action should be taken not only by the Centre but also by states wherever paper leaks occur," Rijiju said as quoted by ANI.
His remarks came a day after the Cockroach Janta Party's protest over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak intensified, with a march towards Parliament turning violent.
Rijiju described the meeting as "very fruitful", saying the Prime Minister reviewed recent achievements and discussed India's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
He added that Modi assured NDA MPs that farmers' interests would remain protected under every FTA. "Regarding these agreements, the Prime Minister assured that the interests of farmers would be prioritised... ensuring that these agreements serve the best interests of both the farmers and the nation," Rijiju said.
- 21 July 2026 11:20 AM IST
Kharge skips birthday celebrations,demands justice for students
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said he would not celebrate his birthday, citing the police action against students protesting over alleged examination irregularities.
In a post on X, Kharge said, "Yesterday, the nation witnessed lathicharges, tear gas shells, and the crushing of a peaceful Democratic protest by the Government. The voices of students demanding justice were met with force instead of answers." He added, "This is not how a 'Mother of Democracy' treats its young children."
Announcing his decision, Kharge said, "In these painful circumstances, I have decided not to celebrate my birthday today." He also thanked Congress leaders, workers, supporters and well-wishers for their greetings.
Calling the day "not a day for celebration" but "a day to seek accountability," Kharge questioned the police action, the alleged internet shutdown near Parliament and the government's handling of repeated examination paper leaks.
He demanded that Parliament hold a full discussion on the issue, sought the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and called for a student-centric examination system, greater autonomy in education and statutory safeguards, including mandatory re-examinations and compensation in cases of examination irregularities.
Ending his post, Kharge said, "Our children deserve justice, not repression."
- 21 July 2026 11:17 AM IST
Wangchuk refuses IV fluids despite advice: Safdarjung Hospital
Safdarjung Hospital, in a health bulletin issued on Tuesday, said activist Sonam Wangchuk has continued to refuse intravenous fluids and glucose administration “despite repeated medical advice," reported the Hindustan Times.
- 21 July 2026 11:10 AM IST
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 noon
Rajya Sabha has bee adjourned till 12 noon amid Opposition ruckus.
- 21 July 2026 11:07 AM IST
Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon amid Opposition ruckus
Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon amid Opposition ruckus within minutes after convening on Tuesday (July 21). Rajya Sabha proceedings going on.
- 21 July 2026 11:04 AM IST
Congress seeks Parliament debate on paper leaks, protests
Congress MPs on Tuesday moved adjournment notices in both Houses of Parliament, demanding an immediate discussion on alleged examination paper leaks, the functioning of the country's examination system and the police action against protesting students.
In the Lok Sabha, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal sought suspension of the day's business, citing reports of 152 alleged paper leak incidents, including NEET, and questioned the lack of action against those responsible. He also called for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to address the House.
"I therefore urge that the House be adjourned to demand that the Hon'ble Union Minister of Education be called upon to make a suo motu statement explaining the 152 paper leak incidents and the absence of arrests," his notice stated.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore also sought a discussion on the alleged use of force against protesters and the suspension of internet services near Parliament.
In the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain sought a debate on what he described as a "systemic crisis" in the examination system. His notice said, "The House may discuss the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026... recurring failures in recruitment examinations, and the resulting loss of public confidence in the integrity of examinations."
- 21 July 2026 11:01 AM IST
Police action prompted Wangchuk to continue fasting: Dipke
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convenor Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday said activist Sonam Wangchuk had been prepared to end his fast after more than 20 days but changed his decision following the police action against protesters on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Dipke said, “Sonam Wangchuk was about to end his fast yesterday. We had convinced him, but he decided to continue after the police brutality during the protests.”
- 21 July 2026 10:55 AM IST
CJP's Dipke questions police action against student protesters
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convenor Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday criticised the police action during Monday's protest, arguing that the authorities had other options to prevent the march from moving forward.
Speaking about the incident, Dipke said, “If they wanted to stop the march, they could have used water cannons. They're just children, after all. These were 17-18-year-old children. We had been sitting here peacefully for a month. Nothing went wrong.”
He also alleged that the confrontation began with the police, claiming the first use of force came from the Delhi Police.
- 21 July 2026 10:53 AM IST
Priyanka Gandhi backs students, slams police action
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday criticised the police action against protesters, saying students demonstrating over examination-related issues were raising legitimate concerns and should not have been treated in such a manner.
Speaking to reporters, Priyanka said, “This is no way to treat young people. They have a genuine problem, and we all know what that problem is. Every time they spend money, their parents have to take loans for them. They struggle. They have to go to coaching centers and do all sorts of things. They face immense hardships because they want a bright future for themselves.”
She described the issue as widespread and affecting families across the country.
“This is a very deep-rooted problem…There are thousands and thousands of young people like this. Every parent whose child is preparing for an examination knows what these children go through. We know how much they struggle. And these are children who do not have many resources. So they have a genuine problem,” Priyanka added.
- 21 July 2026 10:50 AM IST
Riteish, Genelia back students after 'Chalo Sansad' protest
Actors Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh have expressed support for students protesting over alleged examination irregularities, saying they "stand in solidarity with the youth of the country."
Their statement came after thousands of students participated in the "Chalo Sansad" march on Monday, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination paper leaks and corruption in the education system. Police later intervened to stop the march, detaining protesters and dispersing the gathering.
Sharing a joint statement on X, the couple wrote, "Their voices deserve to be heard — loud, clear, and without fear. They are the heartbeat of our democracy and the true architects of our nation’s future."
The statement added, "Let us listen, support, and empower them. The energy, courage, and dreams of our young people will shape the India we aspire to build. Jai Hind. Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh."
Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh also backed the protesters, while Hrithik Roshan, Dia Mirza, Naseeruddin Shah, Sonakshi Sinha and Shabana Azmi voiced support for the students. Azmi also joined the protest.
