‘This was a warning from students & oppn’: Rahul attacks Centre, PM Modi after CJP ends stir
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hailed Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as the “victory of the future of India.” During a press conference, the Congress leader said the country’s education system had been under attack for years and that the government would have to take concrete steps to bring about reforms. “First of all, this is the victory of our students. This is the future of India. The education system which used to be our pride, the whole world acknowledged that the education system of India is very good. It has been under attack for years. It is being captured, it is being privatized. This was a reaction to that. Pradhan is a symbol. A symbol of corruption, a symbol of destruction of the education system, a symbol of incompetence,” Rahul said. “He had to go. And it is good that he went. But now the government will have to take concrete steps to change the education system. The RSS’s capture of the education system of India is a big issue. If it is Modi ji’s fault, then the RSS is equally at fault,” he added. The Congress leader also warned the government and said, “This country belongs to the people of India. It belongs to the Constitution of India. All these institutions do not belong to you. If you continue down this path, you will see that what has happened now will happen on a scale ten times larger. That is the basic message.” He also targeted Union home minister Amit Shah over the alleged brutality against protesters marching to Parliament on July 20 and claimed that the issue would be prominently raised by the Opposition during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. “We hold Mr Amit Shah directly responsible for the violence that has taken place against our students. He authorised the shooting of our students. He authorised the use of lethal weapons, including pellet guns, against our students. For us, this is a fundamental issue. We will not accept our own forces shooting at the future of India. This will be a major issue in Parliament.” “I want to thank all the students from the bottom of my heart and whatever support they need from my side, wherever they need support, I am ready. Congress party’s idea with the protest was to support it wholeheartedly. We supported it and we are here to protect the students of India, to protect the future of India. This is a fight between the past, which is Narendra Modi and the RSS, and the future of India, and we are very confident that the future of India will defeat the past,” he added. This comes after Pradhan said he had stepped down after considering the situation that had developed at Jantar Mantar and across the country, adding that the government had acted swiftly after irregularities in the NEET-UG examination surfaced by handing the probe to the CBI, cancelling the examination and announcing a re-test. Minutes after Pradhan’s resignation, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had declared that the protest would continue until the remaining demands were met. He had sought Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the paper leak and action against police personnel over the alleged crackdown on protesters on July 20. However, following three rounds of talks with the Centre, the CJP on Sunday announced that it was withdrawing its 36-day agitation at Jantar Mantar with immediate effect after the government accepted its remaining demands, while also agreeing to consider the party’s five-point charter on examination reforms. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Proud of you, Pradhan’s exit a signal … let’s get rid of this regime’: Rahul hails youth, asks PM Modi to apologise
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday congratulated the youth protesters after Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan tendered his resignation amid protest across the country over NEET paper leak. In a social media post on X, Rahul said that Pradhan’s resignation is a huge step in rebuilding the education system “Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is a huge step in rebuilding our education system. It’s a symbolic step because he was a symbol. But it is still a big step,” the Congress leader said. “And I want to congratulate every single student, every single youngster who came out on the streets and fought for democracy, fought for the future of this country and defended the Constitution. I’m proud of you. Well done,” he added. Accusing the government of “attacking India” and destroying the constitution, Rahul also the called on the youngsters for getting rid of the “regime.” “It’s also a signal to other parts of society. Farmers, laborers, poor people. Anybody who this regime is attacking and oppressing. There is wisdom and courage in standing up. Daro Mat. Let’s get rid of this regime,” Rahul said. “This regime that is attacking India. Destroying our constitution, capturing all our institutions,” he added. Rahul also urged the government to fulfil the two remaining demands — action against the police officials who allegedly assaulted protesting students during CJP’s march to Parliament on July 20, and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Let me remind the government. There is still two demands outstanding. The first one and most important one. Anybody who has raised a finger on our students, beaten them, shot at them. Has to be held accountable. People who’ve organised it, people who’ve implemented it. All have to be punished,” Rahul said. “And the final demand. That the Prime Minister of India. Out of respect for the students of India. Out of respect for the future of India. Has to apologise to the students who were brutalised and attacked. Thank you. Jai Hind,” he added. Earlier in the day, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday announced his resignation, saying he was deeply pained by the developments of the past 10 days and wanted to ensure that anti-national forces did not exploit the situation arising from the controversy over examination irregularities. In his letter, Pradhan said, “For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the cause of students, teachers, and educational reform. I have always believed that a robust, inclusive, and visionary education system forms the cornerstone of a strong nation.” “I deeply respect the aspirations, sentiments, and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth. Realising the dreams of India’s young generation has been a moral commitment in our political and social lives. I express my gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve the nation under his visionary leadership,” he said. This comes amid nationwide protests demanding strict action against the paper leak and exam irregularities, following Education Minister Pradhan’s resignation, which he said was rooted in accountability. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
PM Modi is India’s past, protesting youth the country’s future, says Rahul
NEW DELHI: Asserting that “time has come to remove this govt”, Congress’s Rahul Gandhi said PM Narendra Modi is India’s past while the protesting youth are the country’s future. He added that the “past can never fight the future”. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation a “victory of truth and defeat of Modi’s stubbornness”. Rahul said students’ agitation has issued a warning that if BJP-RSS continue to run the govt like their personal fiefdom, they would face a stir 10 times more intense than what is happening now. He accused RSS of hollowing India from inside like termites. He said Pradhan’s resignation is a signal to other communities that are being “oppressed” by Modi govt, that fighting the govt is a wise step. Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “Force was used against them. But the youth did not bend; govt had to bend.” She said she had been wondering for the past 10-12 years, “When will we wake up and realise what is being done to our country?” She said the youth are reclaiming their country. Party MP K C Venugopal said, “A massive salute to millions of students across country who compelled this govt to bow down to their will.” Rahul said that Pradhan was a symbol of corruption and destruction of world-class education system, and “it is good that he is gone”. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Who approved pellet guns?’ Rahul Gandhi writes Amit Shah over ‘barbaric assault’ on students
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi wrote to Union home minister Amit Shah, demanding accountability for the “barbaric assault” on students protesting “peacefully” at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 20. Calling out the “most shocking” use of “lethal pellet guns,” the Congress leader claimed that a 19-year-old student has been undergoing a severe pain and is “likely to lose an eye because he was shot with pellet guns”. “Security forces deployed in Delhi answer ultimately to you, so I ask:1. As Home Minister, did you approve the use of lethal force including pellet guns against students? If not, who did? 2. Are the people in plain clothes seen beating students with lathis police personnel or volunteers? Who authorized their deployment?” Rahul Gandhi wrote in a letter addressed to Amit Shah.The Congress leader futher said that it’s “government’s responsibility to protect protestors and resolve their grievances through dialogue”. “Peaceful protest is crucial to any democracy. It is the government’s responsibility to protect protestors and resolve their grievances through dialogue. Such brutal violence destroys every norm, and has outraged the country. Youth and students, the future of our country, are demanding answers and accountability. Their voice will be heard,” he further wrote. Rahul Gandhi on Saturday slammed the government, saying children protesting for their rights receive “pellets” instead of “justice.” In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi shared a video featuring a youth who was reportedly beaten by the Delhi Police during Monday’s protests against paper leaks. “Sahil was standing with the Tricolour in his hand, merely asking for a clean, fair exam and the fruit of his hard work–the police raised a gun and badly injured him by firing pellets. This is not British tyranny; it is the brutality of the Modi government in independent India–where innocent students demanding their rights receive pellets instead of justice,” the post read. More than 118 police personnel sustained injuries, including senior officers holding the ranks of Special Commissioner of Police, Joint Commissioner of Police, Additional Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, and Assistant Commissioner of Police, along with several female police personnel. During the scuffle, around 60 protesters were also reported to have been injured. On Friday, the Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to strengthen the anti-paper leak law amid continuing nationwide protests over the NEET-UG row, while the deadlock in Parliament continued for the fifth day. According to sources, the proposed amendment Bill is likely to be tabled in Parliament on Monday, July 27. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Do I need a character certificate?’: Wangchuk hits back at critics, rejects ‘deal’ with Centre charge
Wangchuk said he ended his hunger strike only after securing a written assurance as he feared an imminent crackdown on protesters in Delhi, recalling the 2025 firing on youths in Ladakh. Sonam Wangchuk has hit out at his detractors who questioned his decision to end his 26-day hunger strike, asking why he needed a “character certificate” to prove his commitment to the students’ movement. Wangchuk said he ended his hunger strike only after securing a written assurance as he feared an imminent crackdown on protesters in Delhi, recalling the 2025 firing on youths in Ladakh, and wanted to prevent any violence against students. The students, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), are protesting at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere against the NEET paper leak. Their key demands include the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in connection with the controversy. In a video message shared on X, Wangchuk dismissed allegations that he had struck a deal with the government, saying, “Do I need to prove my sincerity after a 26-day hunger strike? “AFTER 26 DAYS OF HUNGER, DO I NEED TO PROVE MY SINCERITY!!! Do please watch and help spread the word. Find the full 22-minute video on my YouTube channel: Sonam Wangchuk,” he tweeted. Wangchuk said he agreed to end his indefinite fast only after the Centre gave a written assurance that no legal action would be taken against peaceful protesters. He explained that he did not demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during negotiations because his priority was to prevent any legal actions against protesters. He also rejected allegations that he had compromised with the government. “Last night around midnight, I was told the ministers had agreed to give the assurance in writing. I was in a hurry because the situation in Delhi was such; there was apprehension that a major crackdown could happen. “I was watching reports and was reminded of September 24, 2025, when police and CRPF personnel mercilessly fired at the youth of Ladakh. I was afraid something similar could happen here. I felt that if I ended my fast and appealed for peace, perhaps the situation could be diffused,” he said. Responding to criticism over ending his fast in the presence of Union ministers, Wangchuk said those questioning his decision were unaware of the circumstances he faced after being shifted from the protest site. “If I had to make a deal, would I have remained hungry for 26 days? Could I not have struck a deal sitting in an air-conditioned room instead of fasting in Delhi’s heat?” he asked. He alleged that after being taken to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18, he was treated “like a prisoner”, claiming he was denied free movement, prevented from meeting visitors and not allowed to keep a mobile phone or laptop. “It was like being in North Korea,” he said, adding that even after the Delhi High Court allowed him to shift to Medanta Hospital, he was allegedly prevented from leaving Safdarjung Hospital for several hours. Wangchuk said his foremost concern throughout the negotiations wit the Union ministers was to ensure that students participating in the agitation did not face violence or legal action. He said this was also why he did not insist on Pradhan’s resignation during the talks, expressing confidence that the demand would eventually be realised through the movement. “My focus was that students should not suffer. My main concern was legal action and FIRs. I did not think it was necessary for me personally to secure the minister’s resignation,” he said. According to Wangchuk, Union ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital and agreed to positively consider compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the alleged NEET paper leak, besides holding a discussion in Parliament on accountability and reforms in the examination system. However, he said the ministers were initially unwilling to provide a written assurance that no cases would be filed against peaceful protesters. “They initially agreed to compensation and discussion in Parliament but were not ready to assure that no cases would be filed against protesting students. They offered only a verbal assurance. I insisted on a written assurance and did not relent until they agreed,” he said. Wangchuk also said he had hoped to end his fast in the presence of MPs, members of the Cockroach Janta Party and representatives from Ladakh, but claimed many of them were not allowed to meet him before the ministers arrived late at night. “The biggest sorrow in my heart is that my colleagues, the students and the MPs who had come to support me could not be present when I ended my fast,” he said. Wangchuk ended his hunger strike shortly after midnight on Thursday after the Centre gave a written assurance that it was positive about not registering cases against peaceful protesters, would hold a detailed discussion in Parliament on examination reforms and paper leaks, and was positively considering compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the alleged NEET paper leak. He had been on an indefinite fast since June 28 after joining the Cockroach Janta Party-led agitation demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Main accused in Maharashtra TET paper leak arrested from Bihar
Earlier, the SIT arrested Suman Kumari Gupta, wife of the alleged mastermind Bijendra Gupta, from Patna after call records and financial transactions reportedly linked her to him. Nearly a month after the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 was postponed over a question paper leak, police have arrested the alleged mastermind, Bijendra Gupta, who was living under a false identity in Bihar. Gupta, who was arrested by Bhiwandi Police from Bihar, was brought to Pune Airport, from where he will be taken to Bhiwandi, ANI reported. Gupta allegedly has been linked to multiple paper leak cases. He has allegedly been involved in leaks related to the 2023 Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) examination, the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination and the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) examination. Gupta’s arrest comes after Maharashtra Police earlier arrested three other accused — Kapil Dahiya, Mithun Singh and Sonu Singh, from Bihar and Punjab, in connection with the case. The TET 2026 examination was postponed on June 27, a day before it was scheduled to be conducted, after police in Maharashtra’s Thane district detected that a portion of the question paper had been leaked and arrested three persons. Investigators have since found that the alleged racket extended across Delhi, Agra, Bihar and Haryana. Earlier, the SIT arrested Suman Kumari Gupta, wife of the alleged mastermind Bijendra Gupta, from Patna after call records and financial transactions reportedly linked her to him. Initial probe found that the confidential question papers were allegedly sourced directly from Mahim Patran Pvt. Ltd, a private printing press located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The TET paper leak came close on the heels of the national controversy triggered by the NEET-UG paper leak, raising fresh concerns over the integrity of competitive Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Up to 10-year jail & Rs 10 crore fine: Cabinet clears tougher anti-paper leak bill
NEW DELHI: The Union cabinet on Friday approved amendments to the Prevention of Paper Leak law, proposing tougher penalties for those involved in examination paper leaks. According to sources, the proposed legislation provides for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore. It also seeks to increase the minimum imprisonment for individuals convicted in paper leak cases from the current three years to five years. The move comes amid nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and growing demands for stricter safeguards to protect the integrity of competitive exams. Government to introduce Bill in Parliament soon Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the government would soon introduce the legislation in Parliament, adding that the PM Modi had directed that there should be no delay in bringing the Bill. “We are preparing to present the bill, but after you receive the briefing on our cabinet decision, we will inform you about our timing. The Prime Minister has said that there should be no delay in the bill we are bringing regarding students. The country also wants what the Prime Minister has said, so it would not be right to resort to any tactics to obstruct it… Congress will fall into this if they continue to disrupt the parliamentary proceedings. We are taking important steps for the future of the students. If the Congress party continues to create all kinds of hurdles to prevent parliamentary discussion, then they will have to face the brunt of the youth of this nation and, in fact, the entire nation,” Rijiju said. Rijiju criticises Opposition over Parliament disruptions Rijiju accused the Opposition of preventing a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue in Parliament, saying the government had repeatedly sought a debate. “For 5 days, we were unable to discuss the NEET paper leak. So, we appealed today as well. Our minister will brief us on the important cabinet decision. Rahul Gandhi was in the House today, so we asked that the debate begin immediately. Now, the Congress party has shown that it’s not interested in debate. Those who were protesting, and Sonam Wangchuk, the most prominent figure among the protesters, also broke his hunger strike and said that the discussion should take place now. I don’t think there’s any benefit in politicising this. We should focus on how to take concrete steps and the future of the students,” he said. The minister appealed to the Opposition to allow Parliament to function, saying the focus should remain on strengthening the examination system. “The future of the students and how we can ensure a proper and very strong system in place for the future of the students; this has to be our priority. By disrupting the parliamentary procedures and the House, it will not yield any result. I would like to request once again of Rahul Gandhi and all the opposition members that better sense should prevail. You cannot indefinitely create trouble in the Parliament to prevent discussion. It is wasting the time of all of the members… It is very critical to let the Parliament function, and when all matters are to be discussed. Taking to the demands of all the members: Why the Congress Party and some of their allies are disturbing the parliamentary proceedings. I do not understand. It would be nice if they could make any demands. But they can make it during their intervention,” Rijiju said. Cabinet decision comes amid talks with protesting students The Cabinet’s decision comes a day after Union ministers held talks with representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been leading protests over the NEET paper leak controversy. Following the meeting, CJP leaders said the government had sought time till Saturday afternoon to decide on their demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. They also claimed the Centre had given in-principle approval to two other demands, including compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and withdrawal of FIRs and legal cases against protesting students. The government initiated the dialogue after social activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike following written assurances from the Centre on reforms to the competitive examination system. Ahead of the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the government would consider a draft Bill providing for fast-track courts and stricter punishment for paper leak offenders, saying, “More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow’s Cabinet!” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
“Stop the Metro, shut down the Internet… but they couldn’t stop the paper leaks”; Rahul Gandhi’s scathing attack on PM Modi
Following the closure of 18 Delhi Metro stations, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi took a dig at PM Modi. He said, “Stop the Metro, shut down the Internet. But PM Modi couldn’t stop the paper leaks.” New Delhi: Students have been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for several days over alleged irregularities in the NEET entrance exam. Meanwhile, the government has imposed several restrictions in the capital, including the closure of 18 Delhi Metro stations. Now, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has taken a dig at Modi. “Stop the Metro, shut down the roads, shut down the shops, shut down the Internet, and stop eating,” he said, taking a dig at PM Modi. “Stop the Metro, shut down the roads, shut down the shops, shut down the Internet, and stop eating,” he said. Brutal action against students demanding their rights On Saturday, in a post on the social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi said, “Shut down the metro, block roads, close shops. The government has taken these brutal measures against students demanding their rights.” Rahul raised the pellet gun issue Earlier on Friday, Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the central government in support of students protesting against the paper leak issue. Rahul Gandhi said, “This young man was hit with a pellet gun while he was peacefully protesting with the Indian tricolor in his hands. The government says that pellet guns were not used during the protest, but the truth is in front of everyone.” He claimed that a student’s eye was seriously injured and he lost his vision in the pellet gun attack. Rahul Gandhi said, “I cannot even say with certainty whether this young man’s eyesight will be saved.” Allegations of firing pellet guns against students The Congress leader alleged that pellet guns were fired and they were beaten with sticks against thousands of young people protesting against the paper leak. He said that the students were only protesting peacefully over issues related to their future and the education system. Demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation Rahul Gandhi launched a direct attack on Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying, “Dharmendra Pradhan is a criminal Education Minister. He should be removed from his post. He symbolizes the decline of the country’s education system. He is responsible for the thousands of people on the streets today.” He alleged that the Modi government has attacked the country’s future, while the students are making only three demands. According to Rahul Gandhi, the protesting students’ main demands are: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign. Strict action should be taken against those who allegedly brutalized the students. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologize to the students and the country. Rahul Gandhi appealed to the central government to stop intimidating and assaulting students and to seriously consider and fulfill their demands. Curated by: Abhishek Pandey About the Author Abhishek Pandey is a digital journalist at Navbharat Times. He joined Navbharat Times, the digital wing of the Times of India Group, in July 2025. He currently covers news for the National and Delhi desks. He has four years of experience in journalism, both as a reporter and on the desk. Courtesy: Hindi News
Kharge asks PM to address Parliament on paper leaks, not deliver ‘one-sided Mann Ki Baat’
Kharge’s remarks came after Modi, in a video message on Thursday night, said the Union Cabinet would discuss the proposed legislation on Friday before introducing it in Parliament next week. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should address Parliament on the paper leaks issue instead of making a “one-sided Mann Ki Baat” outside the House. Kharge’s remarks came after Modi, in a video message on Thursday night, said the Union Cabinet would discuss the proposed legislation on Friday before introducing it in Parliament next week. Reacting to the announcement, Kharge said, “Before coming to Parliament today, please dismiss Dharmendra Pradhan. First, apologise to the students and take strict action against those who ordered the use of batons and pellet guns to suppress the students’ voices. Then we are ready for a detailed discussion on the education system.” “When Parliament is in session, the prime minister is required to make a statement on the floor of the House. He should not be delivering a one-sided ‘Mann Ki Baat’ outside Parliament,” the Congress chief said in a post in Hindi on X. In his address on Thursday, Modi said the Cabinet would deliberate on the proposed law before finalising its provisions. “On Monday, when the second week of the Monsoon session of Parliament will begin, a bill will be brought with provisions for strong action against paper leaks and we will try to pass it as early as possible,” he said. The prime minister acknowledged that paper leaks had deeply affected lakhs of students and their families and said the government had acted swiftly after allegations of the NEET paper leak surfaced over two months ago. “The guilty have been caught. They are now in jail. Our most significant responsibility was to ensure that the students did not lose a year. It was necessary to hold the examination immediately. By using all resources, the government ensured that 22 lakh students could attend the retest,” Modi said. Soon after the PM’s address, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised him for not addressing demands for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, saying Modi should not insult the intelligence of students with a “pathetic midnight video”. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
No Parliament business, four days into monsoon session
NEW DELHI: If the first four days are any indication, monsoon session of Parliament is staring at a washout, with the opposition digging in its heels over its demand for resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, rebuffing invitations from govt for a discussion, reports Subodh Ghildiyal. Amid protests, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha failed to transact business for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday. The stalemate could not be broken despite Speaker Om Birla meeting Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and Supriya Sule to defuse the situation. Home minister Amit Shah and parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju also met Birla. Opposition MPs took out a ‘candlelight march’ Thursday to the Gandhi Smriti in solidarity with the protesting students, two days after they held a dharna outside the PM’s residence and were forcibly evacuated by police. The MPs belonging to Congress, SP, TMC, Left parties, RJD, Shiv Sena and others met at Rahul Gandhi’s residence. From there, they marched to the Gandhi Smriti holding their phone torches. The marchers included Rahul, K C Venugopal, Ramjilal Suman, Supriya Sule, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, N K Premachandran, John Brittas, Sandosh Kumar, Sudhakar Singh, Misa Bharti, Arvind Sawant, Saugata Roy and Mahua Moitra. Rahul said, “We go to remember the students we lost – the children driven to take their own lives after the NEET paper leak. And we go to stand with the students who lie injured today – beaten for peacefully demanding justice and accountability. India’s students are not alone. The entire opposition stands with them and their demands.” Congress’s P Chidambaram said, “All roads are barricaded, and hundreds of policemen are mobilised to ‘secure’ the roads of Delhi. What is govt afraid of? Why this sense of panic?” Earlier, Congress rubbished PM Modi’s statement assuring the protesting youth. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the students don’t need platitudes after govt used pellet guns, shock batons and tear gas on them. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights