Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday led a delegation of INDIA bloc MPs towards Gandhi Smriti in central Delhi to express solidarity with students protesting over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. The convoy, comprising three buses carrying Opposition MPs, was briefly halted by Delhi Police barricades and police vehicles outside Rahul Gandhi's residence before being allowed to continue.
Senior Congress and INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, assembled at Rahul Gandhi's residence at 5, Sunehri Bagh Road before boarding the buses for Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg. According to the Opposition, the visit was aimed at paying tribute to students who allegedly died by suicide following the paper leak and extending support to those injured during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests.
Shortly after departing from Rahul Gandhi's residence, the convoy was stopped just a few metres away. A Delhi Police bus was positioned in front of the vehicles, while two more police buses were stationed behind them. Barricades blocked the route as police repeatedly announced over loudspeakers that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force.
Security was tightened further as the convoy approached the high-security Lutyens' Delhi area.
Speaking to reporters after the convoy was halted, Rahul Gandhi said, "Our students are on the streets, so we too have come out on the streets. We were heading to Gandhi Smriti, but we have been stopped. All our MPs wanted to go there, but permission was denied. They have parked buses here and we are unable to move ahead."
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit also criticised the police action, questioning why elected MPs, who are permitted to enter Parliament, were prevented from visiting Gandhi Smriti. He also objected to the barricades and police buses placed along the route.
Following a brief standoff, Delhi Police removed the barricades and allowed the convoy to proceed towards Gandhi Smriti. The buses then continued through central Delhi under heavy security.
The Opposition's march comes amid ongoing protests led by the CJP over the NEET controversy and alleged examination irregularities since June 6. The party has demanded the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide after the paper leak.
The march also followed Rahul Gandhi's detention near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence earlier this week while leading MPs in support of the CJP protest. Gandhi also sustained a minor nose injury during the confrontation with police.
Heavy security deployed along the route
Delhi Police significantly increased security arrangements after receiving advance information about the Opposition's programme.
Large numbers of Delhi Police personnel, Rapid Action Force (RAF) teams and paramilitary forces were deployed outside Rahul Gandhi's residence and along the route to Gandhi Smriti. Visuals showed RAF personnel equipped with riot gear, helmets, batons and protective equipment.
As the convoy moved forward, security was further strengthened near the high-security zone leading towards Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence, where RAF personnel prepared to form a human chain to prevent further movement if required.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was seen near the driver's seat of the lead bus interacting with security personnel and discussing the route, while Rahul Gandhi remained inside the vehicle with other Opposition leaders.
The extensive security arrangements also led to traffic congestion across parts of Lutyens' Delhi, including Sunehri Bagh Road, Tees January Marg and nearby areas.
'Students are not alone'
Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi said the INDIA bloc's visit to Gandhi Smriti was intended to honour students who had allegedly lost their lives after the NEET paper leak and to stand with those injured during the protests.
In a post on X, Gandhi said, "Right now, MPs and leaders of the INDIA alliance are peacefully heading to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg. We go to remember the students we lost -- the children driven to take their own lives after the NEET paper leak."
He added, "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."
The Congress said the MPs planned to travel by bus to Gandhi Smriti before walking to the memorial to pay tribute. Opposition leaders had also earlier discussed visiting Rajghat as part of the programme.
Strategy meeting before the march
Ahead of the march, senior Congress and INDIA bloc leaders held a strategy meeting at Rahul Gandhi's residence to discuss raising the issue of the alleged police action against protesting students both inside Parliament and outside.
Those attending the meeting included Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leaders P Chidambaram, Jairam Ramesh and KC Venugopal, along with MPs from the RJD, TMC, CPI(M), RSP and other INDIA bloc parties.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs suspended mobile internet services within a 1.5-km radius of Jantar Mantar from 4 pm until midnight as protests over the alleged NEET paper leak continued in the national capital.
