Led by HPCC president Vinay Kumar, Congress workers marched towards the BJP office, raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the BJP over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy, the subsequent protests by students and the detention of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi during demonstrations in the national capital.
The protesters were stopped by the police a few metres before reaching the BJP headquarters. As Congress workers attempted to move ahead, police personnel formed a barricade and prevented them from advancing. Around 50 metres away, BJP workers gathered outside their party office and staged a counter-protest, raising slogans in support of Prime Minister Modi. The rival demonstrations led to a charged atmosphere, though no untoward incident was reported.
During the protest, Congress leaders demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging that repeated examination paper leaks had exposed the failure of the Centre to safeguard the country's education system. They claimed that recurring leaks had jeopardised the future of lakhs of students and accused the BJP-led government of suppressing voices demanding accountability.
Addressing party workers, HPCC president Vinay Kumar condemned the police action against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other Congress MPs, calling it an attack on democratic rights. He asserted that the Congress would continue its agitation until justice was delivered to students and youth affected by examination irregularities.
HPCC General Secretary Vinod Zinta said the Congress stood firmly with students and young people across the country. He alleged that instead of addressing the issue of paper leaks, the government had resorted to using force against protesters seeking accountability. "The Congress will continue its protests until the Union Education Minister resigns," he said.
The BJP, however, accused the Congress of indulging in confrontational politics. Chopal MLA Balbir Verma said the party was trying to replicate in Himachal the "politics of anarchy" witnessed in New Delhi. He urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to restrain Congress workers and warned that the BJP would firmly counter any such protests in future.
The sloganeering and exchange of barbs between the two sides continued for nearly half an hour before the Congress workers dispersed, bringing the protest to an end.