Congress Stages Sit-In Near PM’s Residence Over NEET Row; Govt Opens Dialogue Through Dr Jitendra Singh

New Delhi, July 2026 : A political standoff unfolded outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence on Tuesday as senior Congress leaders staged a sit-in protest over the alleged NEET paper leak and police action against student demonstrators. In a notable development, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, visited the protest site to interact with the agitating leaders and hear their concerns on behalf of the government.

The Congress protest was led by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several senior party leaders. Television visuals showed the leaders seated in protest near the Prime Minister’s residence while Dr Jitendra Singh engaged with them in what political observers described as an attempt by the government to open channels of communication amid the escalating confrontation.

The Congress has strongly criticised the police action against students who participated in protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, accusing the Centre of being insensitive to the concerns of young aspirants. The party has demanded an apology from the government and accountability for the examination controversy.

Tuesday’s demonstration followed a series of protests over the issue. On Monday, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) organised its ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, while Members of Parliament from the Samajwadi Party also marched from Parliament to Jantar Mantar, demanding action against those responsible for the alleged paper leak and reforms in the examination system.

Among the prominent Congress leaders participating in the sit-in were Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, K.C. Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and several other MPs and party functionaries.

Earlier in the day, the Congress leadership assembled at the residence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge at 10, Rajaji Marg before marching to the Prime Minister’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, located about a kilometre away. The march was aimed at pressing the government for answers over the alleged examination irregularities and the police action against students.

During the protest, Congress leaders questioned why no senior official or minister had been held accountable for the alleged NEET paper leak. They accused the government of attempting to suppress student voices through police action instead of addressing demands for transparency and reform in the examination process.

The issue also dominated proceedings in Parliament, where Congress members repeatedly raised the matter, demanding an immediate discussion on the alleged paper leak and the reported lathi charge and use of tear gas against protesters. The disruptions eventually forced the adjournment of Lok Sabha proceedings for the day.

With the Opposition continuing to intensify its campaign over the examination controversy and student protests, the NEET paper leak issue has emerged as one of the key flashpoints in the ongoing Parliament session.

Team Maverick.