Centre vs Opposition Protest Showdown Outside Parliament Amid Stormy Session

The ruling NDA and opposition MPs have staged counter-protests at the Makar Dwar inside the Parliament premises over the NEET paper leaks issue amid a stormy Monsoon Session and the Cockroach Janta Party's march.

The NDA MPs called for the protest against Congress' July 21 sit-in near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence over exam paper leaks. They raised slogans and held placards that read: "Yuvakon ko mat bhadkao, Rahul Gandhi hosh me aao (Don't incite the youth, Rahul Gandhi wake up)".

Parliament Monsoon Session Live Updates

On the other hand, the Opposition MPs continued their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged irregularities in the competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG 2026. They also targeted the government over issues they have been consistently raising during the Monsoon Session.

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, too, joined the demonstration.

The Opposition MPs held placards that read: 'Pradhan sack' and 'Jaan bachao, NEET band karo' (Save lives, stop NEET exams).

#WATCH | Delhi: MPs from both, the NDA and INDIA bloc are protesting at Makar Dwar inside the Parliament premises pic.twitter.com/k1OWAhAVMs

— NDTV (@ndtv) July 23, 2026

During the Centre vs Opposition showdown, some Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and NDA MPs tried to snatch a placard from Congress MP Prashant Padole's hand. A video shows Padole holding a placard that read "Sack Dharmendra Pradhan". Seconds later, around three to four leaders from the ruling party, including a woman MP, surrounded Padole and tried to snatch the placard from his hand. Eventually, they pulled out their own placard and raised slogans against the Opposition.

During the Centre vs Opposition showdown outside Parliament, some Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and NDA MPs tried to snatch a placard from Congress MP Prashant Padole's hand - Watch pic.twitter.com/GvBCRoFHbu

— NDTV (@ndtv) July 23, 2026

PM Modi on protests

As the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters continued their sit-in at Jantar Mantar on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a strong message to the country's youth, saying "nothing is more important" than their welfare and future.

"We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared," he wrote in a post on X.

Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!

We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2026

The Opposition, however, hit back at PM Modi, with Rahul Gandhi accusing the PM of "harming" the future of students.

"You are the one who has harmed the future of our youth the most. You allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of our education system - and protected every person responsible for it," he said.

Gandhi also reiterated the students' demands - to sack the Education Minister, apologise to students, and take action against those who "assaulted" them during the protests.