Rahul Gandhi Leads Opposition March to Gandhi Smriti Amid Tight Security, Alleges Government ‘Scared’ of Student Solidarity Protest

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday led a delegation of Opposition MPs and leaders to Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi, where they paid tribute to students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy and expressed support for students injured during recent protests.

The visit unfolded amid heightened security arrangements across central Delhi, with Congress leaders accusing the government of attempting to obstruct their movement through barricades, police deployment and traffic restrictions.

Several senior leaders from the INDIA bloc gathered at Rahul Gandhi’s residence on Sunehri Bagh Road before proceeding toward Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg. Those accompanying Gandhi included Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, senior Congress leaders P Chidambaram, KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Pramod Tiwari and Renuka Chowdhury.

Leaders from allied opposition parties also joined the march, including NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Supriya Sule, RJD MP Misa Bharti, Trinamool Congress MPs Mahua Moitra and Kalyan Banerjee, CPI leader P Sandosh Kumar and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant.

Barricades and Heavy Police Presence

According to Congress leaders, police initially erected barricades on Sunehri Bagh Road to prevent Congress and Youth Congress workers from moving toward Tees January Marg. The barricades were later removed, allowing the Opposition delegation to continue its journey.

However, the group reportedly faced another halt near Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence. Police cited prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which restricts the assembly of five or more persons in designated areas.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram criticized the restrictions, claiming that MPs remained inside buses for more than 25 minutes while roads across central Delhi were heavily secured.

He questioned the government’s actions, alleging that extensive barricading and the deployment of hundreds of police personnel reflected an atmosphere of fear and panic.

Rahul Gandhi Alleges Opposition Was Blocked

Speaking to reporters from inside a bus during the delay, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the Opposition had originally sought permission to visit India Gate in solidarity with students protesting over the NEET paper leak issue. According to him, the request was denied, prompting the delegation to choose Gandhi Smriti as an alternative venue.

Gandhi alleged that authorities had placed barricades and parked buses in strategic locations to block their movement, accusing the government of being “scared” of a peaceful demonstration of support for students.

He stated that Opposition MPs felt it was their responsibility to stand alongside students who had taken to the streets demanding justice and accountability.

Opposition Voices Support for Students

In a message posted on social media, Gandhi said the INDIA alliance leaders were marching peacefully to remember students who allegedly lost their lives following the examination controversy and to support those who were injured during recent demonstrations.

He emphasized that students were not alone in their struggle and asserted that the entire Opposition stood with their demands.

Meanwhile, Congress workers accused authorities of effectively placing Rahul Gandhi under “house arrest” by setting up barricades outside his residence. Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib alleged that the government was attempting to prevent the Opposition from highlighting student concerns.

Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury also condemned the restrictions, stating that the party would not be intimidated by police action and would continue to raise issues affecting students across the country.

The episode added another layer of political tension to the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET paper leak and the nationwide protests demanding accountability and reforms in the examination system.