21/07/2026
| Delhi: On meeting Rahul Gandhi during over Congress's protest at Lok Kalyan Marg, Union Minister Jitendra Singh says, "It was learned that Congress Party National President Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other had suddenly started a protest. It was also reported that the place was not very conducive to a sit-in protest. It was causing significant inconvenience to the public. The government decided that I, along with the Union Home Secretary, would go to the site and meet with these senior leaders. We went with the idea that we would politely present our point of view and argue that a discussion with the government would be better. However, upon arriving, Rahul Gandhi urged us that if the government agreed to a discussion in Parliament on NEET and related education issues, he would immediately end the protest. I asked him this question not once but two or three times... Discussions were held with the top leadership of the government, and we were told to assure them on behalf of the government that the government has no objection. The government is ready to discuss NEET in Parliament, both related issues and the ongoing protests. When we raised this issue with Rahul Gandhi, he said, "I also want the Education Minister to resign." We replied, "when you were repeatedly asked what you demanded, you said that if you were assured that the government would allow the Congress Party to discuss the matter in Parliament, or that you were willing to do so, I would immediately end this protest. But now you are going back on your word." He replied, "Sir, this is my wish. My demands have changed." We replied, "This is not fair, you are changing the goalpost." He replied, "This is my wish." We then politely explained to him that it is unbecoming of a senior leader like you, who is also the Leader of the Opposition, to go back on your word in a matter of moments. When the government is saying it's ready for a discussion in Parliament, not just on this issue but on all other related topics, he said, "No, sir, we'll sit here. You can take us away." We said, "I came to discuss this with you. I didn't intend to take you away, very politely. I just came to make this request. But it seems you're not in the mood to find a solution through the media." He said, "You can draw your own conclusions. I'll do what I want..." It's very unfortunate that the LoP behaves this way, changing his stance so quickly. This means he's in a mood of conflict. He doesn't want to cooperate with the government to discuss or advance public interest issues. They've come with the intention of confrontation, conflict, and finding an issue... And as far as the government is concerned, you remember the Prime Minister made it very clear today that strict action will be taken against those responsible for the NEET exam and paper leaks, and is already being taken. Many people have also been detained. This is an issue that has affected almost every state in the country, and we will not allow or tolerate injustice against our children. Despite this, if the opposition and the Leader of the Opposition are unwilling to cooperate, I'm sure the people of the country are watching."
Press Information Bureau - PIB, Government of India
PIB in Assam
