New Delhi: The political showdown over the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student protests intensified on Tuesday after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was detained while leading a march towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, deepening the confrontation between the Opposition and the Centre.
The fresh flashpoint followed Monday’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ protest, organised by the CJP, which ended in clashes with Delhi Police. Several protesters were injured after police used force, including lathicharge and tear gas, triggering sharp political reactions and nationwide debate.
Leading the Congress protest from party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence at Rajaji Marg, Rahul Gandhi, Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and senior party leaders marched towards 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, demanding accountability over the alleged paper leak controversy and police action against student protesters.
गिरफ़्तार करो, जेल में डालो, फर्क नहीं पड़ता – मोदी सरकार की सत्ता की ताकत से ज़्यादा बड़ी हमारे सत्याग्रह की शक्ति है।
हमारे बच्चों के साथ हुए अत्याचार का हिसाब तो देना ही होगा। pic.twitter.com/nrNmrLBxp3
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 21, 2026
As police stopped the march, Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in on the road and refused to disperse. He was later detained and forcibly removed by security personnel. Television visuals circulating on social media showed Gandhi being dragged away, with blood reportedly visible on his nose during the scuffle.
Before his detention, Gandhi declared that the protest would continue and appealed to citizens to join the demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s residence. “An attack on students is an attack on every Indian family,” he said, accusing the government of avoiding accountability over the controversy. He also demanded the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Congress accused the Centre of using excessive force against peaceful student protesters and alleged that Parliament was being prevented from discussing the issue. Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said the government was attempting to silence dissent by refusing a debate on the alleged police action.
The BJP, however, accused the Congress of attempting to breach the Prime Minister’s security by marching towards his official residence, a charge rejected by Congress leaders, who maintained that their demonstration remained peaceful.
Delhi Police defended its action, stating that Monday’s student protest had turned violent, with protesters allegedly pelting stones, vandalising police vehicles and injuring 118 police personnel, including senior officers.
Meanwhile, the Monsoon Session of Parliament continued to witness repeated disruptions, with both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned amid persistent protests and demands for a discussion on the alleged paper leak and the police crackdown on demonstrators.
The Centre, even as political tensions mounted, indicated that it remained open to dialogue with the protesters, keeping the possibility of negotiations alive despite the escalating standoff.
