NEET Protests: Violent clashes broke out between BJP and Congress workers in Hyderabad and Patna on Wednesday as both parties have launched protests against each other over the alleged NEET paper leak
and the detention of Rahul Gandhi during his protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in the national capital.
Rahul Gandhi, along with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several INDIA bloc MPs, was detained by Delhi Police after the Opposition marched to PM Modi’s residence in support of the protesting students on Tuesday. The leaders were later released in night.
Lathi Exchange In Hyderabad
In Hyderabad, BJP and Congress workers exchanged lathi blows and pelted stones at each other outside the Telangana BJP state headquarters in Nampally after Congress workers, including MLC Balmuri Venkat, reached the party office to stage a protest.
The confrontation led to chaos in the area, with both sides accusing each other of instigating the violence. The BJP alleged that its workers were attacked by Congress activists.
#WATCH | Telangana: BJP workers and Congress workers attacked each other with sticks and pelted stones at each other in Hyderabad. Congress workers, including MLC Venkat Balmoor, came to protest against the BJP at the Telangana BJP State headquarters in Nampally, Hyderabad when… pic.twitter.com/MsnHLQ3nb7
— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2026
The clashes came as the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) organised its ‘Chalo Lok Bhavan’ protest in response to the All India Congress Committee’s call to demonstrate against the detention of Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders in New Delhi.
Led by TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, Congress leaders and workers marched from Necklace Road to Lok Bhavan. Senior leaders, including state ministers Damodar Raja Narasimha and Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Congress leader Mohammad Azharuddin and MLC Balmuri Venkat, participated in the rally.
Police stopped the protesters near Lok Bhavan and detained several Congress leaders, including ministers and party workers, to prevent them from staging a demonstration.
Clashes In Patna, Bengaluru
Meanwhile, in Patna, BJP and Congress workers also clashed during demonstrations over the NEET issue. Both sides engaged in slogan-shouting and physical confrontation, with reports of lathi blows being exchanged. The BJP alleged that its workers were attacked by Congress activists during the protest.
Elsewhere, police detained several Congress workers in Bengaluru after they attempted to breach barricades during a protest, while some protesters allegedly tried to throw eggs at BJP MLA BP Harish, adding to the nationwide political confrontation over the NEET controversy.
Earlier today, the BJP announced to hold nationwide protests outside Congress offices after the opposition party leaders held a protest outside the Prime Minister’s 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence yesterday.
The sources in the party confirmed the step will be taken in response to Congress’ “unruly behaviour”.
Following Congress’ protest outside the PM’s residence, BJP president Nitin Nabin said, “Rahul Gandhi’s conduct was entirely unbecoming and reprehensible. Despite holding a dignified position like that of the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi does not take it seriously–this became evident from his behaviour.”
(With inputs from agencies)
