Rahul Gandhi leads candlelight vigil at Gandhi Smriti as Opposition steps up NEET leak protest

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

As a precautionary measure, authorities have suspended mobile internet services within a 1.5-km radius of the protest site until midnight.