Rahul Gandhi says Delhi cops urged him to ‘remove this government’ during detention

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday claimed that Delhi Police personnel who detained him during the Opposition’s protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence privately urged him to “remove this government.”

Speaking at a press conference, Gandhi alleged that while he was being dragged away during Tuesday’s demonstration over the NEET paper leak and the police crackdown on student protesters, several policemen whispered messages of support.

“The police dragged me and took me away, but were whispering in my ear to remove this government,” Gandhi claimed. He said one officer from Rajasthan and another from Haryana told him, “We are just wearing the uniform.”

Gandhi said he was unfazed by the alleged assault during the protest, adding that he was “happy to take many more” punches if it meant standing with students.

The Congress leader demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET examination controversy, accusing him of incompetence and calling his resignation a “legitimate demand.” He also urged Prime Minister Modi to apologise for the police action against students and sought accountability for officers involved in the lathi-charge.

The protest movement, sparked by the Cockroach Janta Party over the NEET paper leak, intensified after activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike and was later removed from Jantar Mantar by police.

Gandhi further alleged that 152 paper leaks had occurred since the BJP-led NDA government came to power in 2014, affecting nearly 75 million students.

Responding to the allegations, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said the matter was under investigation and assured that the government would present the truth. He also said the Centre was prepared to hold a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue.