NEW DELHI — Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal were forcibly detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, following a high-voltage sit-in protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
The top Congress leadership had marched toward the Prime Minister's residence to express solidarity with students protesting the NEET-UG examination paper leak crisis. The march escalated into an intense political standoff following a heavy police crackdown and lathi-charge against student demonstrators the previous day.
High Drama on Lok Kalyan Marg
Security was heavily reinforced around the Prime Minister's residence as a large delegation of opposition MPs and regional leaders arrived to stage an unauthorized dharna. Demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the exam fraud, Rahul Gandhi was seen distributing zip ties to party colleagues so they could lock their wrists together and prevent security forces from physically removing them.
The confrontation turned physical as Delhi Police personnel stepped in to disperse the group. Dramatic video footage broadcasted from the site showed Rahul Gandhi resisting detention while lying on the road, claiming, "Democracy in India is happening right now," as he was picked up and removed. Other clips depicted Priyanka Gandhi resisting female security officials at the steps of a police bus, shouting, "Narendra Modi is a coward," before being pulled inside. Several key leaders from Kerala, including MPs Kodikunnil Suresh and Dean Kuriakose, were also treated roughly during the sudden police sweep.
Held in Three-Hour Detention
The detained leadership was split up and transported to separate makeshift detention zones in the capital:
- Rahul Gandhi and K.C. Venugopal: Escorted under tight guard to the Chhatrasal Stadium and Model Town Police Station in North Delhi, where they were held for approximately three hours.
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra: Transferred directly to the Mandir Marg Police Station. She was later visited by Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi as hundreds of workers held demonstrations outside.
Following his release on Tuesday evening, Rahul Gandhi addressed reporters, vowing to carry the fight directly into the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. On Wednesday morning, K.C. Venugopal moved an official adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha, demanding that the regular business of the House be suspended to debate the systematic failures within the national examination framework. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were released by the police later.
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