India’s Top Opposition Leaders Detained in Escalating Exam Scandal Protests
India witnessed significant political tension on Tuesday as prominent opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were detained in Delhi. The siblings, both Members of Parliament from the Congress party, were leading a protest near the Prime Minister’s official residence. They demanded accountability over a major paper leak concerning the NEET-UG 2026 national entrance examination and called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Police moved to disperse the demonstrators, forcibly removing Mr. Gandhi and Ms. Vadra from the site. Several other Congress leaders and party workers were also taken into custody. Ms. Vadra commented during her detention, stating, “They are cowards. They are scared. We are not scared of them.” The protest followed allegations of police heavy-handedness against students who had protested the exam leak a day earlier.
Speaking from a police vehicle, Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala declared the protest was just the beginning of a wider movement against the government. He emphasized that the struggle would continue until justice is served to millions of Indian students whose futures have been impacted by the leaks. Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar echoed this sentiment, condemning the detentions and affirming that the fight for students’ rights would not stop. He also highlighted the opposition’s desire for a parliamentary discussion on the issue.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh offered a different account, alleging that Mr. Gandhi had gone back on his word during discussions held near the protest site. Mr. Singh stated that he and the Union Home Secretary were tasked with engaging the Congress leadership. He claimed Mr. Gandhi initially agreed to end the protest if the government accepted a parliamentary discussion on the NEET issue. However, after the government agreed, Mr. Gandhi reportedly added a new condition, insisting on the Education Minister’s resignation.
Mr. Singh further asserted that Mr. Gandhi refused to leave the protest area, which was not a designated demonstration zone, and accused him of acting against democratic norms. He also mentioned that while the government was prepared for a parliamentary debate on all NEET-related matters, the Congress party had not submitted any formal notice for such a discussion under established parliamentary rules.
The detentions underscore the growing political confrontation over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and the subsequent police response to student protests. Parliament has seen repeated disruptions as opposition parties press for a debate, holding the central government responsible for the examination controversy.
