Congress, INDIA Bloc MPs Pay Tribute to Students Lost to Exam Paper Leak Crisis at Gandhi Smriti
Opposition leaders express solidarity with protesting students, accuse Centre of suppressing democratic protests and vow to raise the issue inside and outside Parliament.
NEW DELHI, July 23: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Members of Parliament from the INDIA bloc on Thursday paid homage at Gandhi Smriti to students who allegedly lost their lives following examination paper leak controversies, while reaffirming their support for students demanding accountability and reforms in the examination system.
The opposition leaders assembled at Rahul Gandhi’s residence on Sunehri Bagh Road before travelling together by bus to Gandhi Smriti. The gathering was presented as a mark of solidarity with students protesting against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and seeking greater transparency in recruitment and admission processes.
At Gandhi Smriti, the leaders observed a solemn tribute by folding their hands in remembrance of the deceased students. They also sang the national anthem, while several MPs illuminated their mobile phone flashlights as a symbolic gesture. Rahul Gandhi carried a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution, while MPs Mahua Moitra and Mahua Majhi were seen holding the national flag during the event.
Security arrangements briefly interrupted the opposition’s march. Delhi Police erected barricades on Sunehri Bagh Road to prevent Congress and Youth Congress workers from moving towards Tees January Marg. Although the barricades were later removed, police again halted the procession near Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence, citing restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which prohibits the assembly of five or more people in the notified area.
Following discussions with the police, Rahul Gandhi and the accompanying MPs were eventually allowed to proceed to Gandhi Smriti.
Sharing a video on social media, Gandhi alleged that authorities attempted to block the opposition’s peaceful programme. He claimed that barricades and buses were deliberately placed to prevent the delegation from reaching its intended destination, adding that such measures reflected the government’s fear of growing public support for students’ demands.
He maintained that elected representatives had a responsibility to stand alongside students protesting on the streets and asserted that democratic voices could not be silenced through administrative restrictions.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi posted on X that the opposition leaders were heading to Gandhi Smriti to honour students who had allegedly taken their own lives after the NEET paper leak controversy. He also expressed solidarity with students injured during protests, alleging that they had faced police action while seeking justice and accountability.
According to Congress sources, the meeting at Rahul Gandhi’s residence also focused on formulating a coordinated strategy to raise the issue of alleged police excesses and examination-related irregularities during the ongoing Parliament session. Gandhi is understood to have urged opposition MPs to intensify pressure on the government over concerns affecting students across the country.
The gathering was attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders P. Chidambaram, Jairam Ramesh, K.C. Venugopal, Kumari Selja, K. Suresh, Pramod Tiwari and Praniti Shinde. Leaders from several INDIA bloc constituents, including RJD MPs Misa Bharti, Sanjay Yadav and Sudhakar Singh, CPI(M)’s John Brittas, RSP’s N.K. Premachandran, and TMC MPs Mahua Moitra and Saugata Roy, also joined the tribute programme.
The demonstration comes amid continued political confrontation over alleged examination paper leaks and the opposition’s demand for stronger safeguards to restore confidence in India’s recruitment and entrance examination systems.
