Rahul Gandhi Leads Congress Protest Near PM Residence Over Paper Leak Issue

On the second day of the Monsoon Session, the political atmosphere in the national capital intensified as the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, along with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior leaders, staged a massive protest near the Prime Minister's residence. The demonstration was organized to voice strong opposition against the recurring paper leak incidents in the country. The Congress top brass, including Priyanka Gandhi, marched from the Parliament to the Prime Minister's house, demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The leaders sat on a dharna, creating a significant stir in the high-security zone as they sought accountability for the future of the nation's youth.

Rahul Gandhi Criticizes the Education System

During the protest, Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the central government, stating that the youth of India are currently facing a crisis where all avenues for growth have been blocked. He emphasized that there are no opportunities left for the young generation and that the system of competitive examinations, which once served as a gateway to a bright future, has been completely dismantled and ruined, while gandhi alleged that the grievances of the students aren't just limited to the education system but are deeply connected to their overall future prospects. He further claimed that the education system has been taken over by a few big businessmen and a specific organization, leading to a sense of hopelessness among students across India.

Social Media Post and Demand for Accountability

Before joining the sit-in, Rahul Gandhi took to his social media handle X to express his concerns. He wrote that the march to the Prime Minister's house was intended to seek answers regarding the brutality faced by young students recently, while he accused the government of avoiding responsibility and refusing to hold a debate on the issue in Parliament. Gandhi stated that the future of India's youth is being systematically destroyed. Speaking to the media, he highlighted the disparity in the current system, noting that while students feel they've no future, the ministers in the government are only concerned about saving their positions. He remarked that in a country where students lose their future but ministers don't lose their chairs, there is no justice.

Arrival of Union Minister and Police Action

As the protest continued for about 1 hour, Union Minister Jitendra Singh arrived at the site to meet with the protesting Congress leaders. He was seen engaging in a conversation with Rahul Gandhi to discuss the situation. Along with the minister, several high-ranking officials, including Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, also reached the protest spot. Despite the presence of government representatives, the Congress leaders remained firm in their demands. In a symbolic gesture of protest, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and other leaders wore symbolic handcuffs to represent the constraints being placed on the youth and the education system.

Detentions and Security Measures

The situation at the protest site became tense as the police began interacting with Rahul Gandhi, urging the leaders to end the dharna. To manage the crowd and the protesting leaders, the police brought in 2 buses to the site. Several Congress leaders, including Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Charanjit Singh Channi, were taken into police custody. The authorities appeared to be preparing for a larger scale of detentions as the protest showed no signs of dispersing. Rahul Gandhi reiterated that the concerns of the students are legitimate and that the government must come forward with a clear answer regarding the systemic failures in the examination process.

छात्रों पर बरसी एक एक लाठी का जवाब चाहिये। pic.twitter.com/OL9QXK5uko

— Imran Pratapgarhi (@ShayarImran) July 21, 2026

#WATCH | Delhi: Union Minister Jitendra Singh reaches Lok Kalyan Marg and speaks with Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi over Congress's ongoing protest here. pic.twitter.com/Qw91kxoURi

— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2026