‘Let's wake him up’: Rahul Gandhi leads march to PM's residence over CJP protest crackdown as Centre softens stand

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday led a march towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, intensifying the Opposition's attack on the Centre over the alleged crackdown on the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) protest in Delhi.

Addressing party workers and INDIA bloc leaders before the march, Rahul declared, "Let's wake him up," accusing the government of suppressing peaceful democratic protests and demanding accountability for the police action against demonstrators.

Opposition escalates protest

The march saw participation from Congress MPs and leaders from several Opposition parties, who demanded action over the alleged use of force during the CJP-led 'Chalo Sansad' demonstration.

The Opposition alleged that students and protesters were subjected to excessive police action and sought the resignation of those responsible for the handling of the protest.

Heavy security arrangements were put in place around central Delhi, with barricades and additional police personnel deployed to prevent protesters from entering high-security areas near the Prime Minister's residence.

Centre signals a softer approach

Even as political tensions escalated on the streets, the Centre appeared to adopt a more conciliatory approach.

Senior BJP leaders initiated discussions with representatives of the CJP, signalling a willingness to engage with their concerns. The outreach came after days of political confrontation, protests and criticism over the handling of the demonstrations.

Government sources indicated that dialogue remained the preferred path to resolving the issues raised by the protesters.

Parliament witnesses heated exchanges

The developments also echoed inside Parliament, where Opposition MPs repeatedly raised the issue of the police action during the Monsoon Session.

Congress and other INDIA bloc parties accused the government of curbing democratic rights, while the Treasury benches defended the actions of Delhi Police, maintaining that security measures were necessary to protect Parliament and preserve public order.

The issue continued to dominate proceedings, leading to repeated disruptions and sharp exchanges between the government and the Opposition.

Political battle intensifies

The protest march and the Centre's outreach have added a new dimension to the political battle surrounding the CJP demonstrations.

While the Opposition has pledged to continue pressing the government over the alleged crackdown, the Centre's decision to engage with protest leaders suggests efforts to defuse the standoff through dialogue.

With discussions expected to continue and Parliament remaining in session, the issue is likely to remain at the centre of the national political discourse in the coming days.