Holding the national flag and a copy of the Constitution, Gandhi was joined by fellow lawmakers, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, as MPs switched on their mobile phone flashlights to pay tribute to students who allegedly died by suicide following the examination controversy and to express solidarity with those injured during recent protests.
March to Gandhi Smriti after strategy meeting
The demonstration came after Opposition leaders held a meeting at Rahul Gandhi's residence. Barricades had been placed outside his house before the meeting.
ये देश गांधी जी का है और उनके उसूलों से ही आगे बढ़ेगा।
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 23, 2026
बापू को सादर नमन 🙏 pic.twitter.com/5FLRbboXn0
Afterward, three buses carrying Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other MPs travelled to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg, less than a kilometre away.
Explaining the purpose of the march, Rahul said the Opposition wanted to honour students who had lost their lives and stand with those who were allegedly assaulted while protesting peacefully.
"Right now, MPs and leaders of the INDIA alliance are peacefully heading to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg. We go to remember the students we lost... We go to stand with the students who lie injured today - beaten for peacefully demanding justice and accountability," he said.
Right now, MPs and leaders of the INDIA alliance are peacefully heading to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 23, 2026
We go to remember the students we lost - the children driven to take their own lives after the NEET paper leak.
And we go to stand with the students who lie injured…
He added that students across the country were not alone and that the entire Opposition stood with their demands.
'No one can stop us': Rahul Gandhi
Later, Rahul Gandhi said the Opposition's original plan to visit India Gate was not permitted by Delhi Police. He also claimed that the buses carrying MPs were initially prevented from leaving for Gandhi Smriti before being allowed to proceed.
Sharing a video from inside one of the buses on social media, he wrote:
"No one can stop us from standing with the students of India."
No one can stop us from standing with the students of India.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 23, 2026
भारत के छात्रों के साथ खड़े होने से हमें कोई नहीं रोक सकता। pic.twitter.com/ALypCpklbX
Congress reiterates demand for minister's resignation
The Congress has continued to press for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy.
You are the one who has harmed the future of our youth the most.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 23, 2026
You allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of our education system - and protected every person responsible for it.
The students’ demands are clear:
1. Sack Dharmendra Pradhan.
2. Apologise to… https://t.co/0MK4wPMNiK
The latest protest comes two days after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several Congress leaders were detained during a demonstration outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence.
Before leaving for Gandhi Smriti, Congress MP Kumari Selja told NDTV that the party remained firm on its demands.
CJP protest continues at Jantar Mantar
Meanwhile, a separate demonstration led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is continuing at Jantar Mantar over the paper leak issue.
"मैं नरेंद्र मोदी को धन्यवाद कहना चाहता हूं क्योंकि अगर वो सोनम वांगचुक को यहां (जंतर-मंतर) से ना हटाते तो हमारा आंदोलन इतना बड़ा नहीं बनता..."- अभिजीत दीपके pic.twitter.com/HIrxuWtbqD
— Cockroach Janta Party (@CJP_for_India) July 23, 2026
As a precautionary measure, authorities have suspended mobile internet services within a 1.5-km radius of the protest site until midnight.
"मोदी जी मेरी रिक्वेस्ट है कि धर्मेंद्र प्रधान का इस्तीफा ले लीजिए, वरना बात फिर आपके इस्तीफे पर भी आ जाएगी"।
— Cockroach Janta Party (@CJP_for_India) July 23, 2026
~अभिजीत दीपके
युवाओं को जल्द न्याय दीजिए। pic.twitter.com/yjWGjSfkCB