Rahul Gandhi Leads Protests Demanding Narendra Modi's Resignation

Violent clashes erupted in New Delhi on July 20, 2026, during a 'Sansad Chalo' march organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). Protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leaks. Delhi Police reported that over 118 officers and approximately 60 protesters were injured in clashes involving stone-pelting and vandalism, resulting in five FIRs for rioting.

On July 21, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expanded the agitation by leading a surprise sit-in protest of nearly 30,000 people outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence at Lok Kalyan Marg. Gandhi, accompanied by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, demanded the resignations of Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Pradhan. The opposition alleged that the government suppressed parliamentary discussions on student issues and used excessive force against youth.

Delhi Police forcibly removed and detained Gandhi, Vadra, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav during the demonstration. Congress leaders claimed they were manhandled, while BJP President Nitin Nabin condemned Gandhi's conduct as a "symbol of anarchy." Meanwhile, Union Health Minister JP Nadda met with CJP representatives and visited injured students at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, though CJP spokesperson Saurav Das dismissed the visit as a "photo-op."

Concurrent with the unrest, activist Sonam Wangchuk remained on a hunger strike, transitioning from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital by court order. The government, via Minister Jitendra Singh, stated it was open to parliamentary debate, though it rejected the demand for ministerial resignations.