Dharmendra Pradhan Hits Back at Rahul Gandhi: ‘He Wanted Headlines, Not Solutions’

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, accusing them of exploiting students’ concerns for political mileage instead of working towards solutions to the NEET controversy.

Breaking his silence after the police action during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Chalo Sansad’ protest, Pradhan alleged that the Congress was attempting to disrupt the Monsoon Session of Parliament despite the Centre’s willingness to discuss the examination issue on the floor of the House.

In a post on X, the Union minister said, “LoP Shri Rahul Gandhi and INC continue to shamelessly exploit students as political tools to manufacture disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.”

‘Objective was political headlines’

Pradhan claimed the Opposition’s protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence was aimed at creating political drama rather than finding a resolution for students.

“Even after the government conveyed its readiness to hold a detailed discussion on the NEET issue in Parliament, the Congress chose political spectacle over democratic debate. Their objective was never solutions for students; it was disruption to make political headlines,” he said.

Reaffirming the Centre’s stand, Pradhan said the government remained committed to addressing students’ concerns through parliamentary discussion and reforms. He added that students deserved “certainty over chaos, solutions over slogans and responsibility over disruption,” while stressing the government’s commitment to improving the examination system.

Government criticises protest near PM’s residence

Government sources also condemned the Congress demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s residence, calling it a serious security concern and accusing the Opposition of setting a “wrong and dangerous precedent”.

The sources argued that protests targeting the homes of political leaders were not a feature of mature democracies and warned that such demonstrations could compromise security arrangements around high-profile officials.

Rahul, Priyanka among Opposition leaders detained

Pradhan’s remarks came after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and several Opposition MPs marched towards Lok Kalyan Marg to protest the alleged police action against students during Monday’s CJP rally.

Senior Congress leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Kerala Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, also joined the demonstration.

Delhi Police detained the leaders after they attempted to proceed towards the Prime Minister’s residence. Visuals showed Rahul Gandhi being carried away by security personnel during the protest, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also taken into custody before both were released later in the day.

After her release, Priyanka said the Opposition had resorted to the protest because it was allegedly not being allowed to raise the issue effectively through Parliament or obtain permission for demonstrations elsewhere.

CJP protest sparked political flashpoint

The confrontation followed the Cockroach Janta Party’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, organised to protest alleged irregularities in examinations such as NEET and demand Pradhan’s resignation.

The protest turned violent after clashes broke out between demonstrators and security personnel. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, while public property was damaged and dozens of protesters were detained.

According to officials, more than 100 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel, including several IPS officers, were injured during the violence, making the protest one of the biggest political flashpoints of the Monsoon Session so far.