Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday intensified the Congress’ attack on the Centre by staging a sit-in protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi was joined by Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, several party leaders and workers, who gathered near the Prime Minister’s residence demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The protest comes a day after Delhi Police cracked down on the Parliament march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), where several protesters were injured.

Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi holds a protest at Lok Kalyan Marg, demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
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Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi holds a protest at Lok Kalyan Marg, demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan | ANI

During the demonstration, Union Minister Jitendra Singh reached the protest site and briefly spoke with Rahul Gandhi before leaving. Police personnel urged the Congress leaders to end the sit-in, while additional barricades were placed around the high-security area to prevent more protesters from reaching the venue.

Rahul Gandhi calls for nationwide support

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said the Congress had marched to the Prime Minister’s residence seeking accountability over the police action.

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“We have marched to PM Modi’s house to demand answers from him for the brutalities against young students yesterday. PM and HM must resign for destroying the future of India’s youth.”

Congress protests at LKM, demanding the resignations of PM Modi and Dharmendra Pradhan
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Rahul Gandhi urges ‘every patriotic Indian’ to join sit-in outside PM Modi’s residence | ANI

Later, he appealed to citizens across the country to support the protest.

“An attack on students is an attack on every Indian family. PM Modi believes he can get away without answers, without consequences. He cannot. Not this time. I ask every patriotic Indian who believes our students deserve justice – join us in dharna in front of the Prime Minister’s residence. The voice of India’s students will not be ignored.”

A video shared by the Congress showed Rahul Gandhi distributing zip ties to fellow party leaders, who tied their wrists together in an apparent effort to make detentions more difficult.

Congress leaders back Rahul Gandhi’s protest

Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain said, “Our demand is simple. We want the PM’s resignation and accountability.”

NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule later joined the sit-in, while Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan and Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar were also seen at the protest.

Congress MP Imran Masood said, “This protest is under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. Whatever he decides, we will do. We are standing behind him.” Asked how long the protest would continue, he added, “It is up to Rahul Gandhi ji. Like I said, we are here under his leadership. Whatever he decides will be done.”

Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera also made the party’s stand clear, saying, “Narendra Modi must come out.”

Congress says protest plan was kept confidential

According to a Congress MP, the party leadership did not inform MPs in advance about the protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence to avoid alerting the police.

The MP said party leaders had gathered at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence to greet him on his birthday before being informed about the planned demonstration. Soon after, they headed to Lok Kalyan Marg to join Rahul Gandhi and other leaders.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi criticised the government’s handling of the student protests and said, “The point is that this is no way to treat young people of this country. They don’t have any opportunities. All the doors are closed. Only one door is open – competitive exams. And that door is also destroyed. These students are not just complaining about the education system; they are complaining about their future.”

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He added, “This is bigger than education. This is young people saying we have no future in India. There is nothing wrong with this. And instead of saying, okay, we are going to improve the education system, we will work to fix the testing system. I don’t know what the Prime Minister is doing. That is the story.”

Rahul Gandhi also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “He should resign. But Dharmendra Pradhan hasn’t beaten up the students; the Home Minister has, and he should resign, and the Home Minister reports to the PM, who should also resign.”

FAQs:

Why is Rahul Gandhi protesting outside PM Modi’s residence?

Rahul Gandhi is protesting over the Delhi Police action against student protesters and demanding the resignation of PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

What are Rahul Gandhi’s demands in the protest outside PM Modi’s residence?

Rahul Gandhi demanded the resignation of PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the police action against student protesters.