Congress extends support to CJP protest; Rahul Gandhi and others detained during march to PM's residence

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday extended its support to the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Congress MPs, led by Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge visited the protest site at Jantar Mantar and expressed solidarity with the demonstrators. The leaders later attempted to march towards the Prime Minister's residence. However, the Delhi Police stopped the march and detained several leaders. Rahul Gandhi and other Congress MPs protested with their hands tied together before the police took them away.

Speaking during the protest, Rahul Gandhi demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister over the issue. He accused the government of attacking young protesters and said it was destroying the future of the country's youth. Following the escalation of the protest, security was tightened in and around the Prime Minister's residence.

Senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, had initially remained cautious about supporting the CJP-led agitation. Although leaders such as Shashi Tharoor had backed the protest earlier, there were differences within the party over its stand. Support from the Congress and other opposition parties is seen as a major boost to the CJP's agitation.