Nadda Visits injured CJP protesters at RML hospital as Congress steps up attack over Police action

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New Delhi: Union Health Minister and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha JP Nadda on Tuesday visited Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in New Delhi to meet those injured during Monday’s police action that followed the CJP’s protest march over the alleged NEET paper leak.

During the visit, Nadda interacted with the injured protesters undergoing treatment and reviewed their medical condition. He also met the attending doctors to assess the treatment being provided and directed hospital authorities to ensure comprehensive medical care for all those admitted.

Nadda’s visit came a day after a CJP delegation met him and submitted a memorandum demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly lost their lives, and the immediate release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently receiving treatment at Safdarjung Hospital.

Later in the day, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, also visited the injured protesters at RML Hospital and interacted with them.

The Congress escalated its attack on the Centre, accusing it of resorting to excessive force against students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak. The party demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise for what it termed the “brutality” inflicted on the country’s youth and reiterated its demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

In a post on X, the Congress said Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal met students injured during the alleged police action. The party alleged that the future of the country’s students was being “trampled upon” and asserted that the government must accept responsibility for the alleged paper leak while ensuring Pradhan’s resignation.

Addressing reporters in the Parliament House complex, Rahul Gandhi said the issue concerned the future of the country’s youth and strongly criticised the police action against the demonstrators.

“The issue is about students, about the future of the youth. And what is being done–people being beaten and thrashed–this is completely un-Indian. Modi ji has not even apologised for what happened yesterday,” Gandhi said.

He further alleged that the government was obstructing a parliamentary discussion on the matter. Gandhi claimed that he and other opposition MPs had urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to allow a debate on the issue but were told that the Speaker would first need the government’s approval.

“We went to the Speaker and said, ‘Look, we want to discuss the student issue,’ and the Speaker told us that to hold a discussion, he has to ask the government. Do you understand what this means? The Speaker is telling us that to debate in Parliament, he has to take permission from the government,” Gandhi alleged.

The Congress’ criticism added to a growing chorus of opposition leaders questioning the government’s handling of the protest. Leaders including Pawan Khera, Shashi Tharoor, Sanjay Raut, Bhupesh Baghel and Arvind Kejriwal have also condemned the police action over the past two days.

Noyably, Monday’s CJP protest march towards Parliament turned violent, with Delhi Police claiming that more than 118 police personnel were injured during clashes. Around 60 protesters were also reported to have sustained injuries.

According to the police, protesters allegedly hurled stones and other objects at security personnel, attempted to breach barricades, vandalised police and government vehicles, and damaged public property. FIRs have been registered against unidentified persons in connection with the alleged stone-pelting and vandalism in the Connaught Place and Parliament Street areas.

Following Monday’s meeting with the CJP delegation, Nadda had said the protesters had expressed their willingness to hold talks with the government and appealed to them to end their sit-in. However, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das maintained that the agitation would continue until Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down as Education Minister.

Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk remains admitted to Safdarjung Hospital, where he is being monitored by a multidisciplinary team of doctors. According to the latest medical bulletin, his vital signs are stable, although his blood sugar level remains low and his serum potassium has been recorded at 3.2 mEq/L.

The hospital said Wangchuk is being administered oral rehydration therapy and oral potassium supplements. However, despite repeated medical advice, he has continued to decline intravenous fluids and glucose administration. Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of the Education Minister over the alleged NEET paper leak, was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on July 18.