Pune Congress Protests Against Alleged Police Crackdown on Students at Jantar Mantar

Pune, 22nd July 2026: Congress workers staged a black-flag protest outside Raj Bhavan in Pune on Tuesday, condemning the alleged police action against students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET examination irregularities.

The protest, organised by the Pune City District Congress Committee, was led by East Pune Congress president Prashant Jagtap and West Pune Congress president Deepti Chaudhari. Demonstrators also demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing the Centre of failing to protect students’ interests.

The party alleged that students across the country had been peacefully protesting for justice and accountability over the alleged examination irregularities, but were met with police force. It also criticised the police action against Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, during a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi.

Addressing the gathering, Jagtap alleged that the Centre had failed to prevent examination paper leaks and accused it of shielding the Union education minister despite nationwide protests. He said students who had spent months preparing for competitive examinations deserved a fair and transparent system and reiterated the demand for Pradhan’s resignation.

Chaudhari claimed that students had been protesting at Jantar Mantar for the past month seeking accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak. She alleged that several students had died by suicide following the controversy and condemned the alleged use of force against students demanding justice.

Several Congress office-bearers and party workers participated in the demonstration.