Delhi’s CJP Protests Grow as Pressure Builds on Modi

Later on Tuesday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Gandhi led a surprise march to Modi’s house, demanding the resignations of Pradhan, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the prime minister himself. Gandhi said the government should apologise to students over the crackdown, and he argued Congress had gone to Modi’s residence because it was not allowed to raise the issue in parliament. He said he had met Speaker Om Birla seeking a discussion, but claimed the speaker said approval was needed from the government and that there was no appetite for debate.

Federal Minister Jitendra Singh rejected Gandhi’s account, saying he had told the Congress MP that the government had agreed to a discussion. Singh accused Gandhi of later changing his demand by also seeking Pradhan’s resignation, and said the protest location was not suitable. Pradhan, in his first remarks since Monday’s unrest, accused Congress of using students for politics and said the government still stood by education reforms, answers and accountability. The CJP has not responded to his comments. The movement, which began after remarks by India’s chief justice about unemployed young people, has now drawn attention well beyond Delhi, with support also reported in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. The bottom line: the protests now show how quickly student anger can turn into a wider national challenge for Modi’s government.