Opposition's Delhi Showdown: Who Backed Rahul Gandhi On Delhi Streets, Who Stayed Away
Opposition's Delhi Showdown: Who Backed Rahul Gandhi On Delhi Streets, Who Stayed Away Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 09:00 IST Congress, Samajwadi Party
Opposition's Delhi Showdown: Who Backed Rahul Gandhi On Delhi Streets, Who Stayed Away Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 09:00 IST Congress, Samajwadi Party and AAP joined the Delhi protests after the police action on student demonstrators. Here's a party-wise breakdown of who participated, who stayed away. Congress, SP and AAP leaders joined the Delhi protest after the police crackdown on the student-led agitation, while some Opposition parties stayed away (Photos: PTI) The Opposition’s protests in Delhi over the police action against the student-led Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) agitation have turned into a political show of strength, with several INDIA bloc parties backing the movement while others have either stayed away or limited themselves to statements of support. The protests were triggered after clashes between Delhi Police and CJP protesters during the group’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march on Monday. Protesters are demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities and education-related issues, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The subsequent detention of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several Opposition leaders further intensified the political confrontation. WHO HAS JOINED THE PROTESTS? Congress has taken the lead among Opposition parties on the streets. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal and Pawan Khera participated in the protest near Lok Kalyan Marg before being detained by Delhi Police. Sonia Gandhi later reached the police station where Priyanka Gandhi was being held.
Congress leaders also visited injured protesters in hospital after the clashes. The party has also launched protests across several states, including Kerala, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, condemning both the police action against protesters and the detention of its leaders. Samajwadi Party (SP) Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav joined Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders during the Delhi protest. He was among those detained by Delhi Police before being released later. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) AAP has extended active support to the agitation. Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Delhi Police seeking details of FIRs and detentions following Monday’s clashes and visited Parliament Street Police Station. Senior AAP leaders have also publicly backed the protesters. Trinamool Congress (TMC) While no large TMC delegation has joined the Delhi protests so far, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee has declared that she is prepared to travel to Delhi and participate if required. Addressing the party’s Martyrs’ Day rally in Kolkata, Banerjee appealed for Opposition unity under the INDIA bloc and reiterated her support for the protesters, saying she would join the Delhi agitation if the situation demanded it. WHO HAS BACKED THE PROTEST POLITICALLY? Besides those physically participating, several Opposition parties have publicly expressed solidarity with the student movement and condemned the police crackdown. According to reports, parties backing the movement include the Congress, Samajwadi Party, AAP, Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Shiv Sena (UBT), CPI and CPI(ML)-Liberation. WHO HAS NOT JOINED?
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