Congress's protest outside the Prime Minister's residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, became a new flashpoint between the Centre and the Opposition on Tuesday after the police detained Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. However, after a few hours, all the leaders were released by the police.
The leaders were detained after the Delhi Police tried to remove them. A video of Gandhi being taken away has surfaced on social media. The video shows Rahul Gandhi lying on the ground resisting his detainment. He was injured in the process.
News agency PTI cited his aide saying that Gandhi sustained an injury below his eye. The buses took the detained leaders to Chhatrasal Stadium, where the other leaders and Congress workers followed them.
On being detained by the Delhi Police, the Wayanad MP said, "They are cowards. They are scared. We are not scared of them. They are scared of us."
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who was first from the site and then detained later, spoke to the media, accusing the government of ignoring the demands of the students.
He said, "The Prime Minister's responsibility is to listen to the students' demands. Why is he not accepting their demands?"
Movement to continue: DK Shivakumar
After the Gandhis were detained, Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar said that the movement will continue as over 100 MPs were present there.
He said, "It is unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi (were detained). We are all fighting for the cause of the students of this country. We want justice. We want this to be discussed in the Parliament... More than 100 MPs are here. No one is afraid of being arrested... This movement will continue till justice is given..."
Hours after the Parliament was adjourned, Congress leaders including Rahul, Priyanka, Mallikarjun Kharge, Kerala CM VD Satheesan and Shivakumar reached near 7, Lok Kalyan Marg and staged a sit-in.
Sonia Gandhi reaches police station
As the protest escalated, senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi reached the Mandir Marg police station. Hundreds of Congress protestors were on the spot, sloganeering against the government and seeking the release of leaders.
Government approached Rahul Gandhi
The protest, being held a day after Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) overwhelming march to Parliament, panicked the government. Union Minister Jitendra Singh was rushed to the protest along with Home Secretary Govind Mohan. The government gave assurance to Gandhi but failed to break the ice as the protest continued and intensified instead.
Congress general secretary in-charge Jairam Ramesh asserted that the protest would continue overnight, demanding Prime Minister break his silence on the issues raised by the students.
However, Jitendra Singh's account differed from that of Congress as he pinned the blame on Gandhi for alleged undemocratic conduct.
Jitendra Singh terms Gandhi's behaviour undemocratic
Singh claimed that Gandhi initially demanded a discussion on the NEET-UG paper leak in Parliament. He said he conveyed the demand and got approval, but Gandhi made a further demand of Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
On being confronted about the behaviour of altering his demand quickly, Gandhi replied it was his prerogative, Singh added.
Singh further added that when the Home Secretary informed Gandhi that it was not a place for protest as it was causing inconvenience to the public, the latter again gave the same answer that it was his prerogative to protest wherever he wanted.
Jairam Ramesh warns Monsoon Session to be washed out
Speaking about Rahul and Priyanka being detained, Jairam Ramesh warned that if the government won't pay heed to their demands, the entire monsoon session may be washed out.
He said, "Opposition unity and solidarity were displayed in a very powerful and impactful manner. Our demand has been, and will continue to be, that the Home Minister makes a statement and that there is a detailed discussion regarding the education system, the examination system, and the atrocities committed against students by the Delhi Police yesterday. Furthermore, we demand the resignation of the Education Minister... However, I do not see that happening. If the government maintains this mindset, then the Parliament session will definitely be washed out."