‘This is utterly disgraceful’: Shashi Tharoor slams police lathicharge after meeting injured student protesters

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday (July 21) condemned the police action against students protesting over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, calling the use of force against peaceful demonstrators "utterly disgraceful" after meeting injured protesters in Delhi.

His remarks came after clashes erupted during the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) "Chalo Sansad" march, where Delhi Police used tear gas shells and baton charges to stop thousands of protesters from marching towards Parliament.

Tharoor visits injured students

In a series of posts on social media, Tharoor said he met several injured students who described what they alleged was police brutality during Monday's protest.

"On the ground, listening to students recount the police brutality they've endured. Story after story. Injury after injury. I met a young boy whose face was covered in bandages as he quietly described what had happened to him. No democracy should answer peaceful protest with violence. This is utterly disgraceful," Tharoor wrote.

He later said he was travelling from Jantar Mantar to Mandir Marg Police Station to meet detained Congress leaders.

"Enroute from Jantar Mantar to Mandir Marg Police Station where my party colleagues are being detained. I don't know till what point I'll be allowed to go but I will make sure I stand with each and every colleague of mine trying to protect our democracy," he said.

Protest over NEET controversy continues

The CJP-led agitation is demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on July 18, has continued his hunger strike from the hospital.

Hundreds of protesters gathered again at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday to continue the movement despite Monday's police crackdown.

Police register five FIRs

The violence erupted after protesters attempted to march towards Parliament during the "Chalo Sansad" rally.

Delhi Police said it has registered five FIRs in connection with alleged stone-pelting, vandalism and unlawful assembly.

According to police, more than 118 police personnel and around 60 protesters were injured in the clashes. Authorities said they are examining over 250 videos, including CCTV, drone and body-camera footage, and are investigating whether platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram were used to mobilise participants before the violence.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Protesters allege excessive force

Students who addressed a press conference alleged that police assaulted protesters, dragged demonstrators and used excessive force while dispersing the crowd.

The CJP also accused Delhi Police of brutality during the operation.

"Police have been absolutely brutal. They have fractured the skulls of many students who were protesting here. Even a 15-year-old girl was brutally beaten up by a male police officer," CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged.

Police reject allegations

Delhi Police has defended its actions, alleging that protesters attacked security personnel with stones and other objects, attempted to breach barricades and vandalised government property.

Police maintained that force was used after demonstrators tried to break through multiple security barricades erected to prevent the march towards Parliament.

Calls detention of Rahul Gandhi 'a severe affront to democracy'

Later, in a post on X, Tharoor condemned the detention of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and other opposition leaders during their protest outside the Prime Minister's residence.

"The forceful detention of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and other Opposition leaders during their protest is a severe affront to our democracy," he wrote.

"Physical aggression against a peaceful protest is completely unjustifiable. An accountable government listens to dissent; it does not silence it through police action."

He concluded by saying, "This is not the India our Constitution envisages. We must never allow this appalling conduct to become the new normal."

Opposition protests after police action

Tharoor's remarks came hours after Delhi Police detained Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav and several other opposition leaders who staged a dharna outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence at Lok Kalyan Marg, demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the police action against student protesters.

The Opposition has accused the government of suppressing dissent and refusing to allow a discussion in Parliament on the controversy, while the Centre has defended the police action, saying security protocols around the Prime Minister's residence had to be maintained.

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka released after detention

The Opposition intensified its attack on the Centre over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and the police action against student protesters, with Congress leaders demanding a debate in Parliament, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and accountability for the alleged use of force against demonstrators.

The political showdown came after Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with several senior opposition leaders, were released following their detention by Delhi Police during a protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence at Lok Kalyan Marg.

Rahul Gandhi: We marched to demand answers

Following his release, Rahul Gandhi said the Congress protest near the Prime Minister's residence was organised because the Opposition was not allowed to raise the issue in Parliament.

In a post on X, Gandhi said the leaders marched to Lok Kalyan Marg "to demand answers" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged police action against students.

"The Government doesn't want to take any accountability, nor does it want to have a debate on it in Parliament. PM and HM must resign for destroying the future of India's youth," he wrote.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Supriya Sule also joined the protest.

Government says Rahul shifted demands

Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh claimed the government had assured the Opposition that a discussion on the NEET issue could be held in Parliament.

According to Singh, Rahul Gandhi initially sought only a parliamentary debate but later insisted on the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan before ending the protest.

Congress, however, rejected the claim.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the Opposition had already submitted notices seeking a discussion but the government failed to allow a debate.

"The government showed brutality yesterday and repeated it today. They are completely anti-democratic," Venugopal said.

Kharge, Congress leaders target Centre

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP-led government of suppressing dissent and acting out of fear.

He alleged that students demanding justice over examination irregularities were met with police action instead of answers, and criticised the government for refusing to dismiss the Education Minister or permit a debate in Parliament.

Kharge also alleged that Rahul Gandhi and other MPs were forcibly removed while peacefully protesting near the Prime Minister's residence.

Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera demanded apologies from Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Shah's resignation, over the police action.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also attacked the government, accusing it of authoritarianism, while Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Shukla reiterated the party's twin demands for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and a parliamentary discussion.