Rahul Gandhi detained at protest outside Indian PM Modi's residence

India's opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was detained by police on Tuesday while protesting outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence in New Delhi. The demonstration was part of a youth-led movement demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and reforms to the examination system Source: Al Jazeera. Gandhi had been staging a sit-in, accusing the government of ignoring students' demands and condemning a police crackdown on earlier protests Source: CNA.

The movement

The protests, driven by the social media-based Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), have become one of the biggest challenges to Modi's government since his 2024 re-election Source: CNA. The movement focuses on failures in India's examination system, sparking widespread demonstrations.

Government response

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the controversy late Tuesday, stating on social media: "We owe them (students) answers, reforms and accountability" and reiterated the government's commitment to delivering reforms Source: CNA. However, critics argue the government has been slow to act, while police have detained opposition figures including Gandhi Source: Al Jazeera.