'Congress exploiting students for politics': Dharmendra Pradhan slams Rahul's PM house protest
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over the party's protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, accusing it of using students as political tools despite the government's willingness to discuss the paper leak issue in Parliament.
The protest, led by Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Congress leaders, was held over the alleged NEET paper leak, other examination irregularities and the police action against students during Monday's march to Parliament organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 21, 2026
Police dispersed the demonstration around 6.30 pm and detained Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and several other Congress leaders. They were released later in the evening.
'Students being used as political tools'
Targeting the Congress, Pradhan said the party was "shamelessly exploiting students" to create disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
LoP Shri @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia continue to shamelessly exploit students as political tools to manufacture disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 21, 2026
Shri @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia chose to stage a dharna outside the Hon'ble Prime Minister's residence , causing…
He also alleged that the protest violated security protocols around the Prime Minister's residence and caused inconvenience to the public.
मोदी जी, हर ज़ोर आज़मा लो, सारी ताकत लगा लो - छात्रों के इंसाफ की ये लड़ाई अब रोके न रुकेगी। pic.twitter.com/suXh8LkWzh
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 21, 2026
'Government was ready for discussion'
Pradhan's remarks came after Union Minister Jitendra Singh claimed the Centre had accepted Rahul Gandhi's initial demand for a discussion in Parliament on the NEET controversy and other examination-related issues.
According to Singh, Rahul Gandhi later added a fresh demand seeking the resignation of the Education Minister, prompting the talks to break down.
'Political spectacle over democratic debate'
Echoing Jitendra Singh's allegations, Pradhan said the Congress chose confrontation despite the government's willingness to hold a comprehensive debate in Parliament.
"Even after the government conveyed its readiness for a comprehensive discussion, the Congress chose political spectacle over democratic debate. Their objective was never solutions for students; it was disruption for political headlines," Pradhan wrote in a post on X.
He further alleged that Rahul Gandhi's actions were politically motivated rather than aimed at addressing students' concerns.
Under Modi, democracy looks like this 👇 pic.twitter.com/OFYcnwubTv
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 21, 2026
"For Rahul Gandhi, this is not about students. This is about manufacturing confrontation after every genuine avenue for discussion has been opened," the minister said.
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