NEW DELHI, July 23 (Alliance News): India’s opposition parties on Wednesday disrupted parliamentary proceedings in support of student protesters demanding accountability over alleged examination paper leaks, intensifying political pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
According to international media reports, opposition lawmakers led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi staged protests outside Parliament in New Delhi, wearing black attire and carrying placards calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The lawmakers later disrupted proceedings in both houses of Parliament by raising slogans and interrupting the Speaker, forcing repeated adjournments.
The protests stem from allegations of leaked medical entrance examination papers that reportedly affected around two million students. Demonstrations, which began last month, intensified this week after tens of thousands of students marched in New Delhi, where police used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds.
The movement has since spread to several cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Goa, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, Jammu and Ahmedabad, becoming one of the largest youth-led protests during Prime Minister Modi’s tenure.
Addressing a press conference, Rahul Gandhi said the protesters were demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accountability for alleged police action against students and an apology from Prime Minister Modi.
The Congress party has pledged full support for the student movement and continued its campaign after staging a sit-in outside the prime minister’s residence earlier this week. Several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were briefly detained by police before being released.
Security remained tight across the capital, with the Delhi Metro temporarily closing 16 stations in central areas as a precaution.
Meanwhile, members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised counter-protests in several cities. Reports said clashes occurred in some areas, while police used water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Jaipur, Raipur and Thiruvananthapuram.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the government was committed to addressing concerns over examination irregularities and implementing reforms but did not respond to calls for his resignation.
The protest movement has also received support from climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike since June 28. Wangchuk said he would end his fast only after receiving assurances that protesters would not face legal action for participating in the demonstrations.
The unrest has highlighted growing concerns among India’s youth over examination integrity, employment opportunities and education reforms.
