In a significant political development following a high-level meeting of the INDIA alliance, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led a delegation of opposition leaders to the Gandhi Smriti Bhawan on Thursday. The meeting, which took place at Rahul Gandhi's official residence, focused on the ongoing protests by students regarding the NEET paper leak controversy. Following the discussions, the leaders boarded a bus to travel to the Gandhi Smriti Bhawan, located approximately 2 kilometers from the Congress leader's house, to pay their respects to Mahatma Gandhi.
Opposition Unity and the Visit to Gandhi Smriti
The delegation included prominent figures such as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Supriya Sule, and Misa Bharti, among other opposition leaders, while after paying tribute to the Father of the Nation, Rahul Gandhi and the other leaders departed from the site. The visit was seen as a symbolic gesture of Gandhigiri and a peaceful protest against the current administration's handling of student grievances. The leaders emphasized that their movement is rooted in the principles of non-violence and justice, mirroring the historical struggles led by Mahatma Gandhi.
Priyanka Gandhi Criticizes Government Action
Speaking on the occasion, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra delivered a stern message to the government. She stated, "We've come here to send a message to the government that in this very country, Mahatma Gandhi had conducted a movement along with farmers and the poor, in which no one was ever physically harmed. But today, in the same country, the Modi government is beating children simply because they're demanding their rights, while " She further added that Mahatma Gandhi and many others sacrificed their lives for democracy and freedom, yet today that very democracy is being dismantled. She questioned whether they sacrificed their lives so that their children could be beaten for demanding accountability over leaked examination papers.
Rahul Gandhi's Social Media Post and India Gate Plan
The visit to Gandhi Smriti Bhawan was directly linked to the student protests in Delhi over the NEET paper leak. Before the meeting, Rahul Gandhi shared his thoughts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He informed that the MPs and leaders of the INDIA alliance were proceeding peacefully to Gandhi Smriti on 30 January Marg. In his post, he wrote, "We're going to remember those students we've lost, those children who were forced to take their own lives after the NEET paper leak, and we're going to stand with those students who are injured today, who were beaten for making a peaceful demand for justice and accountability. The students of India aren't alone.
Rahul Gandhi later revealed that the opposition MPs initially intended to go to India Gate. He explained, "Our students are on the streets, so all the opposition MPs felt that we should also take to the streets, while all the opposition MPs wanted to go to India Gate. They refused and stopped us. Then we said we wanted to go to 30 January (Gandhi Smriti). They've parked the bus right here. We're unable to move forward, but the main message is for the students.
Statements from Other Opposition Leaders
Congress leader Gurdeep Singh Sappal emphasized the importance of Gandhian principles, stating that the country belongs to Gandhi and his ideals, which the students are following through peaceful protests. " CPI(M) MP John Brittas also expressed concern over the heavy police deployment in the capital, stating that the country needs democracy rather than martial law. He accused the government of trying to protect Dharmendra Pradhan and beating protesters instead of resolving the issue.
The meeting at Rahul Gandhi's residence also saw the participation of Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Other attendees included RJD MP Manoj Jha and Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, while manoj Jha expressed deep concern over the restlessness among the youth across the country, while Amarinder Singh Raja Warring stated that they would fight and win, noting that the Delhi Police and people associated with Amit Shah were already alert to their plans.