Dharmendra Pradhan Slams Rahul Gandhi; Says He Wants Headlines, Not Solutions

By Aditya Nagar | July 22, 2026

Dharmendra Pradhan Slams Rahul Gandhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan responded for the first time since police cracked down on Cockroach Janta Party protesters during the 'Chalo Sansad' march.

BJP attacks Rahul Gandhi: On Tuesday, he accused Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of using students for political purposes.

Pradhan said the Congress was trying to disrupt the Monsoon Session of Parliament instead of helping to address concerns about the NEET paper leak controversy.

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Dharmendra Pradhan Slams Rahul Gandhi Over PM Residence Protest, Says Congress Politicising Students

Rahul Gandhi Congress protest: In a post on X, the Union minister said Rahul Gandhi and the Congress protested outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, even though the government had said it was open to discussing the NEET issue in Parliament.

Pradhan accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of using students for political purposes to disrupt the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Pradhan made these comments just hours after Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, protested outside the Prime Minister's residence over alleged police action against students during the CJP protest on July 20.

Several Opposition leaders were detained by Delhi Police and later released.

NEET Row: Pradhan Says Congress Chose Politics Over Debate Despite Dialogue Offer

Congress Protest Against Government: Pradhan claimed that even after the government showed it was ready to discuss the NEET issue, the Congress chose a "political spectacle over democratic debate."

He said the protests were meant to generate political headlines instead of addressing students' concerns.

Dharmendra Pradhan Slams Rahul Gandhi: Pradhan also alleged that Rahul Gandhi was trying to create confrontation, even though the government had offered opportunities for dialogue.

Congress Protest Over Student Issue: Pradhan Says Students Deserve Solutions, Not Politics; Govt Vows Reforms

Pradhan repeated that the government is committed to discussing the NEET issue in Parliament and addressing students' real concerns. He said students in India deserve better than being used as props in a political campaign.

"They deserve certainty instead of chaos, solutions instead of slogans, and responsibility instead of disruption," he said.

He said students need "answers, reforms and accountability" and that the government remains committed to strengthening the examination system.

Student Protest in Delhi: Congress Protest Outside PM Modi's Home Draws Government's Sharp Criticism

Dharmendra Pradhan Slams Rahul Gandhi: Meanwhile, government sources strongly criticised the Congress protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official residence.

They called it a security concern and said the Opposition was setting a "wrong and dangerous precedent.

They said protesting outside the homes of political leaders is not common in mature democracies and could create security concerns.

According to government sources, Congress has set a wrong and dangerous precedent by protesting outside the Prime Minister's residence.

They said it is a security threat and such behaviour is not seen in mature democracies.

They also warned against holding demonstrations at the homes of political leaders and pointed to recent unrest in neighbouring countries where protests around official residences escalated.

Rahul, Priyanka, Akhilesh Detained During March to PM's Residence, Released Later

Rahul Gandhi Latest News: After Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and other Opposition leaders marched towards Lok Kalyan Marg to protest police action during the CJP protest on July 20, more Congress MPs and leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan, joined them.

Delhi Police detained the leaders after they tried to move toward the Prime Minister's residence.

Footage showed security personnel carrying Rahul away after he resisted detention during the sit-in. Priyanka was seen holding onto the door of a police bus as she was taken away.

A few hours later, the Gandhi siblings and Yadav were released by the police.

After her release, Priyanka said the Leader of the Opposition was not allowed to speak in Parliament, and their request to hold a protest was denied.

She added that the group then chose to gather where they were "least expected."

Congress vs BJP: CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' Protest Sparks Fresh Congress-Government Clash

The clash between the Congress-led Opposition and the government on Tuesday started after violence broke out during the CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march the previous day.

Earlier, the two-month-old party organised the march on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament to protest alleged irregularities in exams like NEET and to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Pradhan.

However, the march toward Parliament turned chaotic. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse protesters.

Monsoon Session Marred by Violence; Over 100 Security Personnel Injured, 70 Detained

The clashes left police buses with broken windows, damaged public property, and led to more than 70 people being detained.

Officials said over 100 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel, including more than five IPS officers, were injured during the violence.

The confrontation caused damage and disrupted the first day of the Monsoon Session.

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