New Delhi – Government sources on Tuesday strongly condemned a sit-in protest staged by Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, outside the Prime Minister’s residence in Central Delhi. Officials labeled the demonstration a “dangerous precedent not seen in mature democracies” and a significant “security threat.”
The protest, which saw prominent figures like Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan in attendance, aimed to pressure the Prime Minister to resign. The opposition leaders cited alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and recent police actions against student protestors as their primary grievances.
Government Expresses Concern Over Security and Democratic Norms
Sources within the government emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “It is not only a security threat, but such spiteful behaviour is not seen in mature democracies.” They also drew parallels to events in neighboring countries, cautioning against protests targeting leaders’ residences.
In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, Minister of State in the PMO, Jitendra Singh, met with the protesting leaders. Singh confirmed that the government had agreed to Rahul Gandhi’s initial demand for a parliamentary debate on the NEET issue. However, he noted that Gandhi subsequently shifted his demand, calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan instead.
Talks Inconclusive as Demands Evolve
Singh urged the Congress leaders to end their sit-in, explaining that the location was not designated for protests and was causing considerable inconvenience to the general public. Despite the government's efforts to engage, the talks concluded without a resolution, leaving the standoff unresolved.
The incident highlights escalating political tensions in the capital over educational reforms and alleged governmental oversight, drawing sharp criticism from the ruling dispensation regarding the methods employed by the opposition.