Delhi Police on Tuesday forcibly removed and detained Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as well as SP chief Akhilesh Yadav from the protest site outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence.
Rahul Gandhi along with other Congress leaders, including the chief ministers of Karnataka and Kerala, started a sit-in protest around 3.30 pm against the police action on protesting students the day earlier.
As police swooped down on the site, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha could be seen lying on the ground and resisting as security personnel tried to pick him up. He was hurt in the process.
The Man Who Stands For The Nation 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Fb1m7kKMtZ
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 21, 2026
After the Delhi Police used force to stop the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) “chalo sansad” march towards Parliament on Monday, the protest showed no signs of losing steam on Tuesday, with the outfit refusing to end its agitation, accusing the Centre of insincerity in talks and alleging police brutality against demonstrators.
The focus shifted from the dramatic street clashes of Monday to the aftermath. Injured protesters discharged from hospitals, got fragmented, heightened security at Jantar Mantar, multiple police FIRs, opposition attacks on the government and a war of words between the Centre and protest leaders while CJP opted to continue protest at Jantar Mantar last night.
The biggest flashpoint emerged over the Centre’s engagement with protesters. CJP leaders rejected Union Health Minister JP Nadda’s assertion that discussions with them had been cordial and constructive, saying the government neither addressed nor accepted any of their three principal demands, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, who was part of the delegation that met Nadda during Monday’s march, described the discussions as “useless” and accused the minister of misrepresenting what transpired.
“JP Nadda told us he would speak to the senior leadership and get back to us, but we have received no response so far,” Ranka said, adding that if the government wished to continue negotiations, its representatives should now come to Jantar Mantar.
The CJP reiterated that the agitation at Jantar Mantar would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is removed from office, signalling that despite Monday’s crackdown and an inconclusive round of talks, the confrontation between protesters and the government is far from over.
July 21, 2026 9:14 pm
July 21, 2026 8:49 pm
July 21, 2026 7:34 pm
मोदी जी, हर ज़ोर आज़मा लो, सारी ताकत लगा लो - छात्रों के इंसाफ की ये लड़ाई अब रोके न रुकेगी। pic.twitter.com/suXh8LkWzh
July 21, 2026 7:08 pm
July 21, 2026 7:06 pm
July 21, 2026 7:04 pm
मोदी की तानाशाही देखिए।
देश के नेता विपक्ष के साथ ऐसा सुलूक किया जा रहा है।
शर्मनाक! pic.twitter.com/mPvojsUnbA
July 21, 2026 6:44 pm
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav were detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday during the protest outside PM Modi's residence over the alleged police brutality against students. Meanwhile, Congress said, "All MPs are being detained and picked up brutally."
July 21, 2026 6:27 pm
July 21, 2026 5:58 pm
"This is exactly what the students are demanding -- that after years of hard work, their answer sheets should be evaluated properly. Will students now be beaten in India for demanding that examinations be conducted fairly? Will tear gas shells be fired at them? This is blatant injustice," said Congress leader Gurdeep Singh Sappal.
July 21, 2026 5:56 pm
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera said, the party, led by its leadership, would continue its protest outside Modi's residence until students get justice, asserting that they had no intention of backing off now. Tribune photo (screen grab from video)
July 21, 2026 5:40 pm
Kerala Chief Minister (CM) V D Satheesan and Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar also joined the Congress protest at Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit alleged that the treatment meted out to the protesting youth on July 20 was “barbaric” and said it was the party’s duty to stand with students across the country. He urged the Modi government to undertake a comprehensive review of the NEET examination system and take strict action against those responsible for the alleged irregularities.
July 21, 2026 5:36 pm
छात्रों पर हमला हर भारतीय परिवार पर हमला है।
प्रधानमंत्री मोदी को लगता है कि वो बिना जवाब दिए, बिना किसी नतीजे का सामना किए बच निकलेंगे - नहीं कर पाएंगे, इस बार तो बिल्कुल नहीं।
मैं हर उस देशभक्त भारतीय से अपील करता हूं जो मानता है कि हमारे छात्रों को न्याय मिलना चाहिए -…
July 21, 2026 5:26 pm
"We, all the Congress MPs, senior leaders, and workers, are sitting on a dharna outside the Prime Minister's residence. The Congress Party has always stood with the rights of youth and students and their demands. This arrogant and dictatorial government will have to answer for the brutal lathi-charge on students. This arrogant government is guilty of the crime against the youth; they will have to resign," Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala said in a post on X.
हम सभी कांग्रेस के सांसद,वरिष्ठ नेता, कार्यकर्ता प्रधानमंत्री निवास के बाहर धरने पर बैठे हैं।
कांग्रेस पार्टी हमेशा ही युवाओं,छात्रों के हक और उनकी मांगों के साथ खड़ी है।
अहंकारी और तानाशाही सरकार को छात्रों पर बर्बरता से हुए लाठीचार्ज पर जवाब देना होगा।
ये घमंडी सरकार… pic.twitter.com/32qzt0vsag
July 21, 2026 5:18 pm
Rahul Gandhi and Jitendra Singh spoke for more than 15 minutes, however, the discussions reportedly did not produce any conclusive outcome, after which Singh departed. Sources said the Congress informed Singh that it wanted Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign and demanded a detailed debate in both Houses of Parliament on the alleged police brutality against students, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah present during the discussion.
कुछ समय पहले, यह ज्ञात हुआ कि कांग्रेस पार्टी के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष, श्री मल्लिकार्जुन खड़गे और उनके साथ अन्य वरिष्ठ नेता, जैसे कि श्री राहुल गांधी, श्रीमती प्रियंका गांधी इत्यादि अकस्मात ही अकबर रोड़ के समीप एक स्थान पर अपने समर्थकों के साथ धरने पर बैठ गयेहैं। सरकार ने इस वरिष्ठ…
July 21, 2026 5:14 pm
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday questioned the government’s design behind starting talks with his outfit, saying it was engaging in dialogue with CJP while simultaneously carrying out a police crackdown on protesters. “The government wasted our time. They invited our delegation. They seized their mobiles. Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were, in a way, under house arrest at J P Nadda’s residence,” Dipke said addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar, where the protest over the NEET paper leak issue entered its 32nd day. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/govt-wasted-our-time-dipke-on-talks-between-nadda-cjp-team
July 21, 2026 5:01 pm
Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of resorting to “thuggery,” alleging that the government was pushing the country towards ruin. He claimed that the manner in which the MPs were being treated reflected the Centre’s attitude and warned if elected representatives could be handled in such a way, ordinary citizens could face even harsher treatment.
July 21, 2026 5:01 pm
Congress General Secretary (Communications) and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh said the Opposition has already raised the issue in both the houses -- the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha -- demanding that the Home Minister makes a statement in the Parliament over the alleged attack on democracy, the Constitution and the treatment of the youth. “Congress has been seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for the past 45 days,” he said.
July 21, 2026 4:22 pm
“We strongly condemn the deeply insensitive actions of our spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya, whose videos surfaced while peaceful protesters and our team were facing brutal police violence. Such conduct is unacceptable, shows a complete lack of judgment, and is wholly inconsistent with the values and principles of our movement. In response we are removing Vijeta Dahiya as spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party and relieving him of all the official duties,” read a statement issued by the CJP. TNS https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/deeply-insensitive-cjp-removes-spokesperson-vijeta-dahiya-over-burger-video
July 21, 2026 4:16 pm
Several Congress workers were taken into custody by the police while protesting at Lok Kalyan Marg. "We have marched to PM Modi’s house to demand answers from him for the brutalities inflicted on young students yesterday. The government doesn’t want to take any accountability, nor does it want to have a debate on it in Parliament. The Prime Minister and Home Minister must resign for destroying the future of India’s youth," says Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, Punjab Congress Campaign Committee chairman Charanjit Singh Channi was detained from Lok Kalyan Marg. Channi alleged that the BJP was resorting to "terror-like tactics" while ignoring the concerns of students. TNS
July 21, 2026 2:58 pm
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday wrote to New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma, seeking immediate public disclosure of all FIRs registered and people detained following the protest at Jantar Mantar a day earlier. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/kejriwal-writes-to-delhi-police-seeks-public-disclosure-of-firs-detainees-after-cjp-protest/
July 21, 2026 2:24 pm
New Delhi: A young woman injured in the police action during the CJP protest here is on ventilator support at the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, sources said on Tuesday. PTI
July 21, 2026 2:23 pm
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday allowed shifting of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite fast since June 28 over alleged examination irregularities, from Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia was hearing a plea by the activist's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, against a Sunday order of the high court refusing to interfere with his ongoing treatment at the central government hospital. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/wangchuk-be-admitted-to-hospital-of-his-choice-asserts-delhi-hc-safdarjung-told-hand-over-record-to-medanta/
July 21, 2026 2:18 pm
New Delhi: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi reached RML Hospital in New Delhi to meet protesters who were injured during the Delhi Police lathicharge at Jantar Mantar. TNS
July 21, 2026 1:52 pm
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to students over the police action against protesters, accusing the Centre of failing the country’s youth and refusing to address concerns over the education and examination system. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/rahul-gandhi-accuses-centre-of-crushing-students-future-demands-pm-modis-apology/
July 21, 2026 12:40 pm
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced legal and medical assistance for students allegedly affected by police action during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Kejriwal alleged that the police used excessive force against students despite the protest being peaceful. He claimed several students were injured, false FIRs were registered against them and some parents were unable to locate their children after the crackdown. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/arvind-kejriwal-announces-legal-medical-aid-for-students-after-cjp-protest/
July 21, 2026 12:39 pm
New Delhi: Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday visited Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital on Tuesday to meet injured student protestors during the CJP's Parliament March on the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. ANI
July 21, 2026 12:21 pm
New Delhi: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Delhi High Court alleging excessive use of force by the Delhi Police during Monday’s Parliament march protest by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and seeking a court-monitored independent inquiry, preservation of electronic evidence, identification of officers responsible, compensation for those allegedly injured and an investigation into the alleged role of unidentified persons seen alongside police personnel. The matter is likely to be taken up for hearing on Wednesday after the court refused an urgent listing on Tuesday. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/plea-against-delhi-police-action-during-parliament-march-by-cjp-reaches-hc-hearing-likely-wednesday/
July 21, 2026 12:20 pm
New Delhi: Sentiments of CJP protesters, who stormed the Capital yesterday, resonated at the NDA parliamentary party meeting today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for the strongest possible action against those arrested in the NEET UG paper leak matter. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/paper-leak-matter-not-partisan-pm-modi-wants-top-lawyers-hired-to-prosecute-the-guilty/
July 21, 2026 11:18 am
New Delhi: The Resident Doctors' Association of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, on Tuesday appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to order an independent, time-bound inquiry into the events at Jantar Mantar a day ago. The RDA also raised concerns over reports that activist Sonam Wangchuk was not allowed to leave Safdarjung Hospital despite seeking a Leave Against Medical Advice (LAMA), saying that such claims, if accurate, raised questions about patients' autonomy and rights. PTI
July 21, 2026 11:13 am
New Delhi: The police action quickly snowballed into a political controversy. Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh submitted a notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking discussion on the NEET paper leak, police action against protesters and the health of activist Sonam Wangchuk. Aazad Samaj Party MP Chandrashekhar Azad staged a protest within Parliament premises demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. RJD MP Manoj Jha accused the government of refusing dialogue with students, while farmer leader Rakesh Tikait alleged that the Centre was ignoring young people’s concerns despite the scale of the agitation. Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced that he would visit injured protesters at RML Hospital before addressing a press conference on what he described as the crackdown on students. TNS
July 21, 2026 11:13 am
New Delhi: Delhi Police defended Monday’s operation. According to police, more than 118 personnel, including senior officers, sustained injuries after protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting and violence. Police also said around 60 protesters were injured during the clashes. Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar visited injured personnel on Tuesday. Security remained heavily reinforced across central Delhi and at Jantar Mantar, where the protest continued under close surveillance. TNS
July 21, 2026 11:13 am
New Delhi: Early morning, Dipke visited injured protesters admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where he claimed a young woman remained in critical condition following the police action. The organisation also issued an appeal seeking first-aid supplies, painkillers, portable microphones and lighting equipment, saying many volunteers required treatment after the confrontation. TNS
July 21, 2026 11:13 am
New Delhi: At the protest site, the mood remained defiant but sombre as volunteers cleaned the grounds and organised medical assistance for those injured in Monday’s clashes. Ranka alleged that police had “crossed all limits”, accusing personnel of beating protesters with batons, dragging demonstrators across roads and assaulting women participants. “Our youths were beaten, heads were cracked open and they were dragged on the streets. One volunteer’s ribs were shattered. Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo’s hair was pulled while dragging her off the truck,” he alleged, adding that the violence would only draw more people to Delhi. TNS
July 21, 2026 10:57 am
New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday announced that he would not celebrate his birthday, saying the country had witnessed a "crushing of a peaceful democratic protest" as students demanding justice over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak were allegedly met with lathi-charge and tear gas instead of answers. Ahead of the second day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Kharge alleged that the government had responded to peaceful protests with force, questioning the use of police action against students and the sealing of Parliament and internet shutdowns during Monday's demonstrations. "Yesterday, the nation witnessed lathi charges, 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. This is not how a 'Mother of Democracy' treats its young children," said Kharge. TNS
July 21, 2026 10:57 am
New Delhi: Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh extended his support to the students protesting against alleged NEET irregularities and urged authorities to divert attention to their demands. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/ill-be-called-anti-national-again-diljit-dosanjh-supports-students-cjp-protest/
July 21, 2026 10:36 am
New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Tuesday lashed out at Union minister JP Nadda's assertion that a proposal came from the protesters to hold talks with the government, and asked that when "our fasting children's proposals" were known to all, was the government waiting to tear-gas and lathi charge them. PTI
July 21, 2026 10:10 am
New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak and its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has drawn attention from international media, with several global news organisations portraying it as a reflection of growing youth concerns in India. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/how-foreign-media-covered-cockroach-janta-party-protest/
July 21, 2026 9:57 am
New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s condition remained stable on Tuesday, but doctors at Safdarjung Hospital said he continues to face medical risks due to his prolonged hunger strike, with persistent blood abnormalities and low blood sugar levels requiring close monitoring. According to the eighth health bulletin issued by VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk’s vital parameters are stable. His serum potassium level, tested from a sample collected on Monday night, was 3.2 mEq/L, while his blood sugar remained on the lower side. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/sonam-wangchuks-vital-parameters-remain-stable-continues-to-refuse-iv-fluids-safdarjung-hospital/
July 21, 2026 9:22 am
I apologise to all our supporters, especially the girls who were brutally beaten 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.
To protect one Dharmendra Pradhan, who is responsible for…
July 21, 2026 9:01 am
TRAFFIC ADVISORY
In view of the Demonstration/Protest/Rally at Kishan Ghat, New Delhi on 21.07.2026, traffic restrictions and diversions may be imposed from 08:30 AM onwards on need basis.
Commuters are advised to avoid the affected routes around Satyagrah Marg, Velodrome… pic.twitter.com/na6iMqdIhR
July 21, 2026 8:48 am
New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Monday registered at least five FIRs in connection with a protest by the CJP in the New Delhi area, alleging that 118 police personnel, including senior officers and women police personnel, were injured. The FIRs have been registered at Connaught Place Police Station, Parliament Street Police Station and other police stations. The police said more FIRs were likely to be registered, and the accused were being identified with the help of CCTV footage. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/118-personnel-injured-during-cjp-protest-delhi-police-register-at-least-5-firs/
July 21, 2026 8:00 am
New Delhi: Throughout the day, the Delhi Police maintained that force was used only to prevent protesters from breaching security cordons and to control stampede-like situations that threatened public safety. The protesters, meanwhile, accused the police of repeatedly using excessive force against what they described as a peaceful youth march. TNS