CHENNAI: Police on Wednesday (July 22) detained members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) during a protest near Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore, Chennai.
The protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him responsible for the alleged NEET examination question paper leak.
The detentions come amid nationwide protests over the alleged NEET question paper leak. In Delhi, supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have continued their sit-in at Jantar Mantar even after the brutal police crackdown on the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' march, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The agitation has entered its second month, with more supporters joining the protest despite heavy security deployment.
Meanwhile, leaders of several Opposition parties, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest in Parliament premises on Wednesday, demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the police action against student protesters.
Later, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, were forcibly removed by police on Tuesday after they staged a dharna outside the PM’s residence in Delhi, demanding his resignation. They were released after a few hours.
In view of the continuing protests and the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Centre has ordered the deployment of 20 additional CRPF companies from West Bengal to Delhi to strengthen security.