New Delhi, July 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress General Secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, dressed in black in solidarity with protesting students, on Wednesday accused the Centre of suppressing democratic voices, alleging that Parliament was not being allowed to function properly and that students’ concerns were being ignored.
Speaking to reporters in the Parliament House complex, Priyanka Gandhi claimed that the government was preventing discussion on issues affecting students and described the prevailing situation as “undemocratic.”
‘Democracy Is Finished’
Criticising the functioning of Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi alleged that neither the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi nor other opposition MPs were being allowed to speak.
“In Parliament, debate is not being allowed. The Leader of Opposition is not allowed to speak, and neither are other opposition leaders. Whenever they rise to speak, they are stopped,” she said.
Questioning the role of the Chair, she added that if permission for a debate depended on government approval, “democracy is finished.”
Congress Stands With Students
Referring to Tuesday’s protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence, Priyanka Gandhi said the Congress was standing with students and raising their concerns rather than focusing on the detention of opposition leaders.
She said the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression were fundamental to democracy and maintained that students were protesting over genuine issues concerning their future.
According to Priyanka Gandhi, every parent, student and teacher in the country was aware of the seriousness of the issues being raised by the protesters.
Questions Government Priorities
The Congress leader accused the government of neglecting education while extending financial concessions to large corporate groups.
She claimed that while the education budget stood at around ₹1.4 lakh crore, loans worth ₹16 lakh crore had been written off for major industrialists, alleging that farmers, the poor and students were being ignored.
Opposition Leaders Detained After Protest
On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and several other opposition leaders staged a sit-in outside the Prime Minister’s residence, demanding his resignation over the handling of the student protest issue.
The demonstration ended after Delhi Police detained the leaders and shifted them to different locations before releasing them later in the day.
Rahul Gandhi was taken to Chhatrasal Stadium, while Priyanka Gandhi and some Congress MPs were taken to Mandir Marg Police Station, where Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi later met them.
Rahul Gandhi Seeks Debate in Parliament
Following his release, Rahul Gandhi said the opposition had decided to protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence after concluding that the government was unwilling to allow a discussion in Parliament on the students’ issue.
He said the opposition wanted Parliament to debate allegations relating to the police action against students, demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and the withdrawal of cases registered against protesters.
Rahul Gandhi maintained that the student issue was among the most important matters facing the country and deserved discussion in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
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