Rahul Gandhi holds a press conference on the issues of lathi charge on students and paper leak at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi on July 22, 2026. During this, he targeted the Central Government regarding the police action and made serious allegations regarding the education system of the country. He also put forward many demands. Here are the 10 highlights of his press conference:
‘So many papers were leaked, yet no one was punished’
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of paper leak. He said that the students were protesting peacefully, but they were brutalized by the police. He said that in the last 10 years, 152 papers have been leaked, affecting 7.7 crore students and their families, yet no one has been punished. Videos showing police action during the protests were also shared.
The cost of NEET exam is equal to the national education budget.
Rahul Gandhi said that students are demanding reforms in the education system and are under a lot of stress right now. He said that the cost of NEET exam is equal to the entire education budget; NEET students spend ₹1.32 lakh crore on the exam, while the national budget itself is ₹1.4 lakh crore.
Rahul Gandhi demanded resignation of Education Minister
During the press conference, Rahul demanded the resignation of the Education Minister, calling him corrupt and incompetent and insisted on his immediate removal. Rahul said, “The education minister has completely failed. He should resign; this is a fair demand. The public sector has been privatized and the future of the country’s children has been ruined.”
There are serious irregularities in the education system
Rahul Gandhi strongly criticized the education system of the country. He said that while India’s education system was once one of the best in the world, under the current government it has been systematically hijacked and messed up.
Condemned police action against students
Rahul Gandhi condemned the police action against the students during the press conference. He strongly criticized the security forces and police for pointing weapons at peaceful protesting students and assaulting them. He also demanded action against the police officers responsible.
**’Anti-youth government; Coercion with the youth**
Rahul Gandhi attacked the government during the press conference, calling it an anti-youth administration. Gandhi, who described the current government as the most anti-youth in the history of India, said that coercion is being done to the youth, yet those responsible are not being punished.
**Rahul Gandhi supported the demands of the students**
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has justified the demands of the students. Defending the protests, he said the students were just demanding a fair and merit-based education system – which they deserve.
**Rahul Gandhi demanded accountability**
During the press conference, Rahul Gandhi reiterated a key demand of the students: accountability for the entire situation. He appealed to PM Modi to come forward, apologize to the troubled students and take concrete steps to secure the future of the youth of the country.
**Rahul Gandhi’s statement on protest at PM residence**
Speaking on the protests outside the PM residence, Rahul Gandhi said, “We felt that if the students of the country are on the streets, the opposition should also be there.” Before going to the PM residence, the opposition met the Speaker and demanded discussion on students’ issues in the House. Although the Speaker had promised to talk to the government, nothing happened and the issue was ignored. That is why we want Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign.
**Rahul Gandhi placed three demands before the government**
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has placed three demands before the Central Government in this matter. Their first demand is that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign. Second, they demand punishment of those who committed atrocities against the students. He said, “These are not terrorists; these are the youth of our country.” The third demand is that PM Modi should express grief over the entire incident.