Opposition Demands Modi Resign After Violent NEET Protest Crackdown

Protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over NEET-UG 2026 paper leaks turned violent in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. Clashes between students and the Delhi Police resulted in injuries to approximately 60 protesters and over 118 police officers. The unrest followed the forced removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on July 18. In response to the violence, police registered multiple FIRs for rioting and vandalism.

On July 21, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, led a march of Congress MPs to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. Gandhi, alongside Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a dharna demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The opposition accused the government of suppressing parliamentary debate on student issues and destroying the future of India's youth.

Delhi Police forcibly detained several senior leaders, including Gandhi and Vadra, during the protest. Congress later released footage alleging 'shameful' treatment, with reports that Gandhi suffered a nosebleed during the encounter. While Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated the government was willing to discuss NEET issues in Parliament, the opposition maintained its demand for ministerial resignations. Meanwhile, Union Health Minister JP Nadda met with CJP representatives and visited injured protesters at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, though CJP spokespeople dismissed the visit as a "photo-op."