Morning Digest: Education Minister Pradhan says Rahul, Congress exploiting students; thousands brave rain, regroup at CJP protest site, day after police crackdown, and more
Protests regarding education reform and paper leaks have intensified in Delhi, with thousands regrouping at Jantar Mantar following police crackdowns. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have joined the movement while activist Sonam Wangchuk continues his hunger strike under medical supervision.
Why it matters
The escalation of these protests highlights significant political friction between the Indian government and the Opposition regarding systemic issues in the national education system.
The national capital has seen heavy clashes between Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters and Delhi Police personnel even as activist Sonam Wangchuk continued his hunger strike to demand educational reform. The area around Janpath station of the Delhi Metro saw widespread protests on July 20, 2026, along with repeated lathi charges by the Delhi Police. While on the site on July 20, 2026, The Hindu came across a petrol pump. A Bharat Petroleum fuel station. The signs of violence were visible.
The principal Opposition party, the Congress, on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) seized the leadership of the anti-government agitation protesting the spate of paper leaks and seeking education reform, with the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi leading the Congress contingent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s doorstep. They were accompanied by other top Opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav.
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