Rahul Gandhi Demands PM Modi’s Resignation Over Student Protest Crackdown
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation, accusing the government of “destroying the future of India’s youth” following the police crackdown on student-led protests in New Delhi. The demand came as Gandhi led a march with Congress MPs towards the Prime Minister’s official residence, intensifying the political confrontation over the government’s handling of the demonstrations.
The protest was triggered by violent clashes a day earlier between Delhi Police and supporters of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who had organised a “Sansad Chalo” march demanding reforms to India’s examination system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination paper leaks. Security forces used barricades, tear gas and baton charges to stop protesters from reaching Parliament, leaving dozens of people, including protesters and police personnel, injured.
Addressing supporters before being detained, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government had failed to answer students’ concerns and was unwilling to allow a parliamentary debate on the issue. He accused the Prime Minister of remaining silent after the police action and said the crackdown reflected an anti-youth approach. Gandhi also demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Home Minister Amit Shah, holding them politically responsible for the handling of the protests.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the demonstration alongside several opposition Members of Parliament. As protesters attempted to move towards the Prime Minister’s residence, Delhi Police stopped the march and detained Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and several other opposition leaders. The Congress condemned the detentions as an attempt to suppress democratic dissent, while police maintained that the protest violated security restrictions around the high-security zone.
The controversy has further disrupted the Monsoon Session of Parliament, with opposition parties repeatedly demanding a discussion on the police action and the broader issue of examination irregularities. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, defended the government’s response, stating that law enforcement acted to maintain public order and that investigations into examination paper leak cases are already underway. Prime Minister Modi has not directly responded to Rahul Gandhi’s demand for his resignation, though he has called for constructive debate in Parliament and reiterated his government’s commitment to strengthening the examination system.
The student movement, led by the Cockroach Janta Party, has emerged as one of the largest youth-led protest campaigns in recent years, bringing issues such as examination integrity, employment opportunities and accountability in public institutions to the forefront of national politics. Although organisers have suspended large protest marches following the clashes, they have pledged to continue peaceful demonstrations until their demands for education reforms are addressed.
