LIVE: JP Nadda accuses Rahul Gandhi of politicising paper leak issue

The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) has condemned the Delhi Police’s use of force against student protesters during the CJP demonstration in the national capital, calling for an independent investigation into the incident. Stressing that the right to peaceful dissent is a cornerstone of democracy, the lawyers’ body said constitutional freedoms must be protected and asserted that protests should not be met with excessive force or suppression.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, “The government stated in Parliament today that it is fully prepared to discuss the NEET exam paper leak and all related matters. We have stated from day one that the government is always ready to discuss any issue that is in the national interest and in the interest of the youth. However, the rules under which this discussion will take place must be determined… Directly taking it to the streets and creating a ruckus; this is not right. The discussion should be meaningful… The government wants a thorough discussion on the NEET exam paper and the steps it has taken to address it… The citizens have every right to know what other actions have been taken. If we do not discuss this, how will the citizens receive the information? But our point is simply that all parties should sit with the Speaker to decide on a discussion under certain rules… The debate should be as long as it takes… The debate should begin as soon as possible.”

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said, “There are two problems – One is that there have been consistent and systematic leaks in various exams. What happened in NEET was the last straw. The government is doing nothing systematic to correct the problem or fix accountability. The minister continues, the secretary continues, and the head of the NTA continues. Accountability has not been fixed. Neither have they taken us into confidence about what they have done to improve the examination system. People have lost trust in the examination system. Point two is that NEET itself is anti-federal. There is no reason for the central government to run an admission process for colleges which are funded and staffed by the state government. Those admissions would be done in a manner which the state government deems fit. There is no reason for the central government to interfere in those admissions. One is the abolition of NEET, and the second is the strengthening of the examination system and fixing accountability, but the government is refusing to fix accountability.”

Supreme Court issues notice on a plea by Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) challenging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s decision to recognise the merger of six rebel MPs with the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav on Wednesday slammed the Centre over the police action against protesting students during CJP’s July 20 protest, asking if this is the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ‘Ram Rajya’ where “students are beaten up and girls’ clothes torn”. The Samajwadi Party MP questioned the BJP’s claim of ‘Ram Rajya’ and alleged that students were beaten up and girls’ clothes were torn during the protest at Jantar Mantar. She also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

“Is this the BJP’s ‘Ram Rajya’? Where students are beaten up, and girls’ clothes are torn. We want a discussion, but the government doesn’t want the same. We want a discussion on the issues of the Ram temple, NEET, and on police and CRPF action against the students. We also want the resignation of their minister (Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan),” Dimple Yadav said.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said students have genuine demands and are fighting for their rights, asserting that there is “nothing undemocratic” about peaceful protests, while alleging that what is happening with students and in Parliament is “undemocratic”.

Kiren Rijiju reiterates ‘ready for discussion on NEET’ as Opposition doubles down on Delhi Police action against CJP protestors.

Addressing the Lower House, Rijiju said, “For three days, the government has formally offered that discussions be held. Government is ready to discuss NEET paper leak issues. The discussion will happen based on rules; and what its duration will be. A discussion with floor leaders of all parties should be held on when and how the discussion should take place.”

Congress MP KC Venugopal on Wednesday said the Opposition had unanimously decided to continue pressing for a discussion on the alleged NEET and CBSE examination paper leak issue through an adjournment motion, while reiterating its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Speaking to reporters inside the Parliament premises, Venugopal said Opposition parties had held discussions on the issue and agreed to seek a debate under the adjournment motion.

“Today morning, we had discussions with opposition parties.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned to meet again at 2:00 pm today.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid massive uproar in the Parliament by Opposition parties.

Congress MP Ujjwal Raman Singh said, “We stood with the students yesterday, we stand with them today and we will continue to stand with them tomorrow. We are demanding the resignation of Education Minister as well as discussion in Parliament. Govt does double speak. They do not allow a discussion in Parliament and outside they say that there should be a discussion in the House. What Police did with students, LoP Rahul Gandhi and other MPs is condemnable. Democracy will function when you listen to the voices of people.”

Leaders of several opposition parties gathered in the chamber of the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Wednesday to coordinate their strategy for the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. The meeting, held on the third day of the session, aims to strengthen the opposition’s front against the government on various issues.

Meanwhile, proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha faced early disruptions. Both Houses have been adjourned till 12:00 noon following sloganeering and protests by opposition members. Earlier today, the opposition MPs held protests wearing black clothes against the government on the Parliament premises. The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Priyanka Gandhi, among others, were present at the protest.

“Don’t waste our time,” CJI Surya Kant on plea against Delhi Police action on student protesters during CJP march on Monday.

“We are not interested in videos, we don’t have time to watch,” CJI tells lawyer who said there are videos showing police atrocities.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda and MoS Jitendra Singh will meet the CJP delegation around 12 noon today.

As student protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and examination irregularities gather momentum across Delhi and draw nationwide attention, the DMK has reiterated its long-standing demand for the complete abolition of the national medical entrance exam. The party said it had consistently opposed NEET from its inception, warning that the system was vulnerable to large-scale irregularities and undermined social justice.

Citing Tamil Nadu’s historic role in championing social justice and the First Constitutional Amendment, the DMK argued that abolishing NEET—not merely addressing individual instances of malpractice—is the only lasting solution to protect students and restore confidence in the country’s medical admissions process.

Barely few minutes after the Rajya Sabha convened on Wednesday morning, the House was adjourned till 12 noon, amid an uproar by the opposition over various issues.

On the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress protest on Tuesday (July 21), BJP MP Kangana Ranaut said, “A huge security breach occurred yesterday, and Rahul Gandhi tried his best to direct the protesters towards the residence of the Prime Minister. When a protest was taking place at Janpath, then why was Rahul Gandhi trying to direct the protest towards the PM’s residence? This is a matter of great concern for the nation. You know how protestors have been threatening, and then Rahul Gandhi does this. This is a matter of great concern for all. On NEET, the govt is making all efforts. Why should the PM resign? He is the most popular leader in the world.”

On Congress protest outside LKM yesterday, BJP MP Rahul Sinha says, “Now Rahul Gandhi has no issues. He thinks he’s found one, but he should remember the scandals Congress has committed. Only then should he consider staging a protest. The entire Congress regime is awash in scams. Later, the clean NEET exam was conducted again. The government is definitely thinking about it. Rahul Gandhi doesn’t need to worry.”

He further says, “The alliance that these people have formed has no basis; no one is there. All the thieves are gathered together to protect themselves. Congress members don’t accept him as a leader, so how will the rest of the opposition accept him?.”

DMRC said, “Due to security reasons, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk and Central Secretariat metro stations have been closed till further instructions. Interchange facility is available at Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat.”

Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 12 as soon as the Parliament proceedings began in the lower house today. Opposition uproar forced adjournment of LS till 12 noon.

Opposition parties on Wednesday stepped up their offensive against the central government, with several leaders arriving at the Parliament dressed in black to protest the alleged manhandling of students and lawmakers by security forces. MPs from the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the TMC were seen in the protests.The “Black Day” demonstration serves as a unified front against the government’s handling of recent student agitations and the prevailing unrest over the national education system.

Speaking on the protest, Congress MP K Suresh stated that the decision to wear black attire was a direct response to the “brutal” police action taken against the Leader of Opposition (LoP) and other Members of Parliament during Tuesday’s demonstrations. He emphasised that the protest at ‘Makar Dwar’ was a mark of dissent against the high-handedness of the security forces.

Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore says, “I think this is the height of desperation. Rahul Gandhi has no issues and is merely engaging in theatrics, seeking headlines. I believe no opposition party has ever attempted such a thing… We too will protest. We will protest at various Congress offices across India today.”

On AAP MP Sanjay Singh’s statement, he says, “The opposition has no thought, and they have formed the INDIA bloc by bringing together people of different opinions, so they will blame each other and engage in theatrics.”

Delhi High Court will hear a PIL on Wednesday (July 22) challenging the alleged police action against students and other protesters during activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.

The plea seeks an independent probe into the July 18 operation, preservation of evidence and guidelines to protect the constitutional right to peaceful protest.

“Thousands and thousands of protesters are at Jantar Mantar this morning on Wednesday”, CJP posted on X.

On Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s ‘X’ post after Congress leaders’ protest at 7, LKM, Congress MP Jebi Mather says, “Look at the audacity of Dharmendra Pradhan. He is the main culprit. He is the sole person responsible for this kind of mismanagement of NEET, for the paper leaks, and for the complete collapse of the education sector. And then he is giving speeches and blaming the Congress. He does not understand the sadness and the tears of the students. He does not care about the lives that have been lost, the trauma that the students and their families have had to undergo, or the future of the students. And then he is giving lectures to the Congress party, which is standing with the students, understanding their feelings, emotions, and frustration. Dharmendra Pradhan has no moral right to even comment. He should step down first, and then say what he has to say.”

An FIR has been registered in connection with a video showing a Rapid Action Force (RAF) jawan being chased and assaulted allegedly by a group of protesters during the CJP’s march, police said on Wednesday.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said, “This is the biggest movement in India’s post-independence history. We have said this very clearly, what happened on 20th was a trailer. If the Govt doesn’t agree, millions more will come to Delhi because this time we will not hold back and stay silent. The Govt really needs to get its act together otherwise the Youth of this country is going to take them down very badly. A narrative is trying to be built that we will not be peaceful, but we are. The march on 20th was peaceful too but there was chaos only at the point where police unleashed brutality and beat up students. The youth is sitting here peacefully for 31 days because we follow the principles of Gandhi and Ambedkar.”

He also says, “We have placed a very clear demand and Abhijeet Dipke had spoken about it. We will not led any kind of FIR or future FIR be lodged against any protester, the protest won’t end without that. As far as our team’s leadership is concerned, we are not scared of any FIR, we are ready to be arrested under UAPA and NSA from day 1. Jail is a small price to pay for our fight. Be it any political party, even if they are people from the BJP, they should come together because this is a huge movement and the demand is genuine. We welcome all of them.”

On LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi protesting outside PM Modi’s house, Congress leader Udit Raj says, “On July 20, when everyone called for the Parliament March, lakhs of youth came on their own, but there was no impact. Their leaders went and waited for JP Nadda for four hours. Still, no solution was being reached, no pressure was building. In such a situation, Kharge ji and Rahul ji decided to do something that had never been done before. They went and sat right at the gate of the Prime Minister’s residence. And immediately, the PMO was shaken.”

Congress workers and local leaders staged protests across several states on Tuesday against the detention of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other party leaders in Delhi, while also condemning the police action against CJP activists during their protest on Monday.

Demonstrations were held in Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, Jabalpur and Bhubaneswar, where Congress workers raised slogans against the Centre and accused the government of suppressing democratic protests.In Thiruvananthapuram, Congress and Keralam Students Union (KSU) workers held a protest over the detention of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Congress leaders in Delhi.

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das posted on X early morning and said, “MY WHATSAPP ACCOUNT HAS BEEN BLOCKED! Can WhatsApp tell me why and on whose direction it did so?!”