Rahul Gandhi led a Congress sit-in outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, demanding accountability for police action against student protesters a day earlier.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha was joined by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other party MPs near 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. The protest came a day after Delhi Police used force against the Cockroach Janta Party’s Chalo Sansad march over alleged NEET-UG paper leak irregularities.

The issue has now moved from Jantar Mantar to the doorstep of the Prime Minister’s residence. It also disrupted Parliament, where the Opposition tried to raise the NEET paper leak and police crackdown. Both Houses have seen early adjournments since the Monsoon Session began.

What sparked the Rahul Gandhi protest outside PM Modi's residence

The confrontation began with Monday’s march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party. The group has been demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged exam irregularities and student distress linked to the NEET-UG controversy.

The march turned violent after protesters tried to move towards Parliament. Police accused the protesters of unruly and violent behaviour, stone-pelting and vandalism. Delhi Police said 118 personnel, including senior officers, were injured in the clashes.

Protesters and opposition leaders gave a different account. CJP alleged that police used excessive force, lathi-charged students and fired tear gas. Reuters reported nearly 180 injuries in total, including 118 security and police personnel and about 60 protesters.

A young woman injured during the police action was later reported to be on ventilator support at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, according to PTI-based reports. Before going to Lok Kalyan Marg, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi visited injured protesters at RML Hospital.

“We have marched to PM Modi’s house to demand answers from him for the brutalities against young students yesterday,” Gandhi wrote on X.

Jitendra Singh Meets Rahul Gandhi

Union Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh reached the protest site and spoke to Rahul Gandhi. The government later said it was ready to discuss NEET and related issues in Parliament.

Singh claimed Gandhi first agreed to end the sit-in if the government accepted a discussion, but later added a demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Gandhi and Congress leaders, however, continued the protest, saying their demands had not been met.

That exchange became the political flashpoint of the evening. The government accused Gandhi of shifting his position. Congress said the protest would not end without accountability for the police action and the exam crisis.

Rahul, Priyanka And Akhilesh Detained

The protest escalated after talks failed. Rahul Gandhi sat on the road and refused to move. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule also joined the protest later in the evening.

Delhi Police eventually removed Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav and several other opposition leaders from the protest site. NDTV reported that the removal took place around 6:40 pm.

Congress accused police of trying to silence a peaceful protest. The BJP, meanwhile, accused the Congress of putting the Prime Minister’s security at risk.

CJP Protest Keeps Pressure On Government

The original CJP agitation has not disappeared. CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Union minister J.P. Nadda on Monday and submitted the group’s demands in writing. The demands include action on alleged exam irregularities and Pradhan’s resignation.

Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike linked to the protest, remained at Safdarjung Hospital. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke continued the agitation at Jantar Mantar, even as the protest site faced police restrictions.

For the government, the challenge is now wider than one march. It is facing student anger, opposition pressure, court scrutiny and questions over how police handled protesters near Parliament.

What Happens Next

The next test will come inside Parliament. The government has said it is ready to discuss NEET and related issues. The Opposition wants a full debate, accountability for the police crackdown and resignations from top ministers.

For now, two versions of the story are competing. Delhi Police say protesters turned violent and injured security personnel. CJP and opposition leaders say students were met with excessive force while demanding a fair exam system.

What happened outside 7, Lok Kalyan Marg has turned the NEET protest into a national political confrontation. Whether Wednesday brings a serious debate or another adjournment will decide how far this standoff travels.