LIVE: Rahul Gandhi Vs Dharmendra Pradhan | Who Is Weaponising Our Students? | CJP Protest

[00:00:00]hospital.

[00:00:10]Nobody can. Nobody can G1 continue.

[00:01:03]peace of mindful especially.

[00:01:11]MPs government or legally.

[00:02:13]Now son Wangchuk has written a letter to union ministers JP Nada and Dr. Jitendra Singh a day after they met him at the hospital. In his letter Sonam Wangchuk urged the center not to take any legal penal punitive action against the protesters. He insists that the Sanssad march protest from the side of the protesters was absolutely peaceful and that it was the police that resorted to the use of force. Sonamanguk also made his position very clear on the hunger strike. Sonamanguk said he's prepared to end this indefinite fast if members of parliament urged him to do so. Point one. and point two if government provides concrete asurances that the concerns raised by the protesters by the students were addressed. He however warned that if there wasn't a concrete assurance given to him his fast will continue. In fact, in about 25 minutes from now at 8:30, Union Health Minister JP Nada, he will be addressing a press conference various points that were raised by leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in his press conference [music] earlier this afternoon around 4:30 this afternoon. Rahul Gandhi raised certain points uh three specific demands and I'll tell you in detail about those specific demands. Perhaps we'll hear the Union Health Minister respond to uh the the points raised by Rahul Gandhi because he doubled down on the Congress's attack against the Narendra Modi government. At this press conference, Rahul Gandhi put forward three demands to the center. Demand number one, Union Education Minister Dhandra Pradhan must step down. In fact, this has been raised both by leader of opposition in Lok Sava and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha. They said there can be a debate once there is an assurance that Dhandra Padan will step down. Demand number two, action should be taken against those who targeted students and protesters which means action must be taken against police personnel. Demand number three an apology an apology for not acknowledging the the hardships that students were facing. So a day after leading a protest march close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's seven local Kalyanmar residents for which they were subsequently detained. Rahul Gandhi and Congress MPs they carried on with their protest in parliament. Watch those images. Most of them were dressed in black. Congress leaders and of course Samwadi party leaders joined in. uh opposition MPs and especially Congress MPs said that they're observing a black day today, accusing the Modi government of refusing to fix accountability over repeated paper leaks and alleged police atrocities against protesters. But there's another question that's being raised. Is the opposition united in taking on the government? Yesterday it was the Amadi party that accused the Congress of trying to steal CJP's thunder or the cockroach Jantaa party's thunder to take away the credit because it's the CJP that's been carrying out uh the protests and fight against the government. The Congress is now being accused of jumping into this at the 11th hour and then trying to steal that thunder. Today the Samamajwadi party chief Akileles Yadav although he's very close to the Congress party Akileles Yadav lashed out in parliament asking if there was some kind of a deal between the BJP and the Congress that Samagewadi party was not being given an opportunity to speak. The government however hit back blaming the opposition for the current situation. The center says despite repeated offers for a full-fledged discussion on the paper leak on related issues in parliament, Congress and Rahul Gandhi they continue to shift the goalpost. The government claims the Congress initially agreed to a discussion but later shifted the goalpost insisting first Dhandra Pradhan as education minister must resign. So we'll get you that story 8:30. We'll also get you the press conference of JP Nada. But we have another story that's coming up. Watch that image on your television screen. That's an assistant commissioner of Delhi police, an ACP of Delhi police. He was injured in stone pelting by protesters. That wound that you see on his head, he was taken to hospital. He's spoken to India today.

[00:06:33]He's described the situation on ground.

[00:06:35]So at his press conference, Rahul Gandhi showed some images, some videos of protesting students being targeted, protesters being targeted. On this special broadcast, we get you the other side of the story too. We get you all sides of the story. Watch these images carefully. Pictures of stone pelters targeting the police and a mob caught on camera singling out law enforcers and targeting them. Because here on India First, we get you a 360° perspective. We get you all sides of the story for you to form that big picture without fear of favor. But first, let me get to the top developments of the day.

[00:07:19][music] It began as a movement over the neat paper league, a hunger strike by Sonam Wangchuk.

[00:07:30]Protest led by Koko Jantaa party.

[00:07:34]But now the politics has taken over.

[00:07:38]Delhi has become a battleground and at the center of the confrontation are no longer the students.

[00:07:46]Parliament has become paralyzed.

[00:07:49]The political battle has spilled onto the streets.

[00:07:53]Treasury and opposition benches are logged in a complete deadlock.

[00:08:00]And the Modi government is attempting to end the impass, reiterating that it is ready for a full-fledged discussion on the need paper leak issue in parliament.

[00:08:28]The center is accusing the Congress and Rahul Gandhi of speaking in two voices agreeing to a discussion initially only to later shift the focus to demands for resignation.

[00:08:44]Mr. Rahul Gandhi, you have been irresponsible.

[00:09:04]I condemn your entire conduct yesterday.

[00:09:09]>> The government's appeal to the opposition is simple. Raise your concerns, but do so on the floor of the House.

[00:09:37]>> [music] >> The center has also stepped up its outreach to the cockroach party and sonuk sources say senior ministers JP Nadada and Jatendra Singh met Wangchuk at Maidanta hospital in Gurugram on Tuesday night. The meeting came on the heels of the union minister JP Nada holding talks with the CJP spokesperson who submitted a series of demands to the government. But Rahul Gandhi and the Congress remain firm on one key demand.

[00:10:07]Education Minister Dhinda Pradhan's resignation.

[00:10:10]>> Mr. Dhinda Pradhan who has failed as an education minister should be relieved of his duties. So we fully support these demands and we fully support every single student.

[00:10:38]>> [music] >> The paper leak may have sparked the protest, but politics has now eclipsed the issue itself and by offering an olive branch in the form of a full-fledged discussion in parliament, the government has put the onus on the opposition. The question is, will Congress and the opposition actually put the future of students first or will it be politics as usual for them?

[00:11:04]Ber report India today. Students first or politics first. You heard leader of opposition say 152 paper leaks in 10 years. Rahul Gandhi insists Darendra Pradhan the education minister must quit. In fact there have been protests not just in Delhi but I want to get you images. There have been protests from Bihar to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh to Chhattisgarh. And what should one make of the Amadi party versus Congress and Samwadi party versus Congress tussle? Is this now a war for credit?

[00:11:39]Joining me on India first, Sanju Warma, national spokesperson of the BJP, Pankori Patak, national spokesperson of the Congress party. Rashad Kiddai, a political analyst and author as is Rajat Sati. Welcome Sanju. Rahul Gandhi today claimed 152 paper leaks in 10 years. 7.5 crore students and families impacted zero convictions. Rahul Gandhi says he agrees with protesters. Dhindra Pradhan must quit. Will the government consider this? What's the thinking within your party ma'am?

[00:12:14]You know Gor first and foremost let me through your show make this very clear that the Modi government stands unconditionally and unequivocally shoulderto-shoulder with the youth and the student community of this country that said I will not mince my words while the protest may have started on a BONAFIDE NOTE LET'S GET one thing very clear it was infiltrated by professional Angolan GVs and let me say one thing more in Which peaceful protest? Do you see elements SAYING Mary gender Mary Mi Omar KHALED ZINDABAD SHIL ZINDABAD anyone who's been looking at social media in the last one week will find out how what was supposed to be a peaceful protest protest became a completely agenda peddling driven and anolan by professional protesters whose only common binding glue is one thing their visceral hatred for Narendra Modi.

[00:13:31]Let me make one thing clear. 152 paper leaks says the opposition between 2014 and 2026. I can throw another number at you and you can have this checked by your team.6 169 big and small paper leaks from 2004 to 2014 before the Modi government came to the helm of affairs. I come from Maharashtra. In 2012 when Prit Chawan was the chief minister of Maharashtra, there were 39 paper leaks. Rahul Gandhi Mumija Gor as early as 2022. ASHOK GANOT WAS THE CHIEF MINISTER. HIS OWN SONHAV WAS INVOLVED in the Rajasthan recruitment board scam.

[00:14:16]EITHER ways it's us the people who suffer. Ma'am, I completely agree with you. Paper leaks is a huge uh challenge.

[00:14:25]But the fact remains whether it happened under the Congress government or under the BJP government, it is we who are suffering and and what is being done to address it effectively. You know, you blame the professional Andol and Karis and Andol and Gibbs. Fair enough. But what about the students who are seeking justice ma'am and I'll come back to you to respond to that point because that's the core issue pankuri patak is the debate on the floor of the house more important so that there is a solution that the best heads I mean after all we've elected these 543 lawmakers and send them to Lok Sabha discuss this find a solution is that more important or sticking to the resignation of the education minister government says they're willing to discuss everything opposite position is staying away, shying away by changing the goalpost.

[00:15:12]Ma'am, >> uh first of all, Gor, because I just heard the BJP spokesperson, I would like to say that uh the BJP script of anybody raising questions from the government becoming antinational and Andulan Gi and whatnot. I think people uh have seen through it, especially the youth of the country, they don't buy any of that anymore. But coming back to your question uh since the last 3 days we have been demanding a discussion in the parliament. We have been giving notices for adjournment motion. The government has not clarified what kind of discussion they are willing to uh to have in the parliament. Secondly, uh when I saw on your cont everyone's been saying that the demand for the res resignation of the prime minister has come from Rahul Gandhi G or from the Congress party. Let me make it very clear today thousands and lacks of youngsters have come out on the streets with the very same demand.

[00:16:15]This is how this protest actually started and I think it's a very justified demand. uh a person an an education minister who's not only incompetitive uh but who's also very insensitive he has failed to apologize for the death of 25 uh children who lost their lives due to the leak in the neat exam I think that person does not deserve to stay in his position the people of India the youth of India the students of India have lost trust on the education minister I mean there is no question he must go so this is not a demand of of the Congress party. This is a demand of the students of India and we are just echoing.

[00:16:54]>> So you're saying he must go before the debate. Okay. Uh Sanjua wants you to quickly respond 30 second ma'am before I bring in Rajat Sati and Rashid Kai quickly. 30 30 seconds Sanju.

[00:17:05]You know this is a highly unpopular opinion but under article 75 of the Indian constitution the prime minister is mandated to decide who he will induct into his cabinet WHO HE WILL EXPEL FROM HIS CABINET WHO HE WILL DISMISS from his cabinet. THAT IS A PREROGATIVE THAT THE PRIME minister enjoys. Gorav saw Sanju Kanguri Rashid Kway will not decide that. POINT NUMBER TWO I WANT TO AGAIN REINFORCE GORAM VERY CATEGORICALLY. WE STAND WITH STUDENTS, but 99.5% of the people at the CJP PROTEST ARE PROPAGANDISTS, THEIR AGENDA PEDDLERS.

[00:17:42]TELL ME HONESTLY, which same minded student attacks the police force, attacks the rapid action force, SMASHES BARRICADES, PEPPER SPRAYS the police contary and then these people have the audacity to lecture the Modi government on political morality. My final point I WAS LISTENING TO ABIJI DIPK THANK GOD THIS person's you know charade has been EXPOSED WHAT DID HE SAY 24 HOURS BACK they have come down to the level of prime minister Modi is not JUST THE DULY ELECTED prime minister he's old enough to be Aishka's father this is the KIND OF LANGUAGE THAT IS BEING RATIONALIZED NORMALIZED BY THE DHARI RAHUL GANDHI led ecosystem and then they talk about political morality. You guys have some audacity PEOPLE CAN SAY >> LET ME BRING in Rajat Si let me bring in Rajati.

[00:18:42]>> Okay. Okay. Quickly pankur quickly ma'am so that I can bring in other show.

[00:18:48]>> Uh when Sanju said that this is the prerogative of the prime minister to decide who will stay in his cabinet or not. I think that just goes on to show the arrogance of the BJP government that they have forgotten that the prime minister's power also comes from we the people from the people of India who have given him that power. So when the people have lost trust in a certain minister in this government you cannot just suppress their voice. You have to listen to their sentiments and it doesn't matter that you are showing the thumbs down to the youth and students of this country. The youth and students are showing the thumbs down TO YOU. LOOK AT THAT. They are showing right to your face. The studio of the country have shown that you don't have their trust anymore. And no matter you can give them or you can give them a thumbs DOWN BUT THE STUDENTS students of the country.

[00:19:43]Give me a moment. Give me a moment YOU ACCOUNTABLE. YOU CANNOT keep running.

[00:19:47]>> Give me a moment. Let me bring in Rajat Si and and Rashid into this conversation. Rajat say Kiran Riu parliamentary affairs minister says the government is 100% ready for a discussion. Health minister JP Nata said words to the effect in Rajasthad too. Is the government being difficult unwilling to consider the opposition's demand for Dhandra Pradhan's resignation before the debate or is there merit in the government saying debate first then we'll see.

[00:20:14]So there are two principal uh actors gorov uh first is the student uh protesters and everybody who is uh uh sitting in on the protest u I would still not distinguish uh and attack the messenger there but let's assume that if uh the students uh who are sitting were to find a middle ground with the government those negotiations are going on uh several rounds of discussions have been proposed there are back channel discussions also happening and I believe sonum wanguk has himself released a letter where he has said that the government should consider the resignation of go of Dharak Pradhan. So this softening of the tone if it happens from the student protesters side and also from the government side so that greater accountability is fixed. I believe that's how the culmination should happen. But the real problem are these political vultures who are smelling political meat here. This is the real problem. They have shifted the goalpost consistently since Monday when the parliament started. the questioner itself both Rahul Gandhi and Akillesh Adav they got opportunity in the zero hour itself to ask the question and hold the government accountable they were they also proposed that the discussion should happen there but on Monday and later in the t on Tuesday they realized that this is fast snowballing and let's just milk maximum political capital out of it right so they are now gradually shifting the goalpost saying that we won't even join the parliament discussion till dhmin does not resign I mean how can these people become the the principal arbiter on what should be the middle ground between the students and the government. That is the >> very strong strong strong words you've used that these are political vultures who've spelled blood or words to that effect. Rashid Kiddwi, would you agree with this characterization of the opposition and [laughter] should there be a debate first or should there be resignation first? Because both Treasury benches and opposition it appears are more interested in point scoring rather than discussing this very burning issue of need paper leak and and that mafia that paper leak mafia in our country.

[00:22:15]Yeah, Gor if what city is saying about being political vulture and political mean then I think all political parties are guilty of that. You covered the UPA years. What happened to Araja? What happened to Pawan Bansal? What happened to Shivaj Patil? What happened to Bilat Rahm? Was series of resignations were taken and the demand for designation came from Abodan and rightly so. Now give me give me 30 seconds. There's breaking news coming in from Maidanta Hospital in Gurugram hours after he wrote that letter to union ministers JP Nata and Dr. Jendra [music] Singh. Sonam Wanchchuk has now issued a video message and Sonam Wanchchuk in this [music] video message India today has accessed that message. He says he will end his fast if legal action if the government assures him that there will be no FIRS no legal action against students who are protesting. Sonam Wangchuk in [music] fact has then said that if the government does not agree to this does not agree with his demands then his indefinite fast will continue. [music] I'll get you more on this but just first first listen in listen in to son or f jail. Police Big statement big statement from Sonam Wangchuk. He says if the government can give him an assurance that there will be no FIR, no legal action, no penal action against the protesters, then he is willing to end his fast tonight itself, today itself. Let me quickly bring in my colleague Maria Shakil for more on this.

[00:24:48]Maria Health Minister JP Nada is likely to address a press conference in about 10 minutes from now. Do we see that assurance from the government that if there is an assurance he will end his fast and if that fast ends tonight then perhaps there could be a solution. Maria >> yes look Gorov the fact that Sonam Wangchuk has released this video just minutes ahead of JP Nadar's press conference it certainly is an indication that in the press conference which will be addressed by the union minister who has been engaging with him there will be some kind of assurance which will be coming in. Look, the government has been saying that they are open to talks. They have been saying that they are standing with the youth and the protesting students. The concerns of the students will be addressed. The point that has been made by Sonam Wangchuk here becomes important. He is saying that the assurance has to come from the government that there'll be no punitive action against protesting students that all their demands have to be looked in in the due course. But as far as any action against the students are concerned that should not happen because what what was carried out on 20th was largely a peaceful protest. So I see this as clearly an indication that at 8:30 when JP Na who was the minister who engaged him and the letter that was written by Sonum Wangchuk was addressed to Mr. >> [music] >> Nada and to Union Minister Jitendra Singh uh saying that his demands are very clear and in public domain. No mention whatsoever of the resignation demand of Dh Pradhan. So clear indication that Sonam Wangchuk's uh you know fast could end perhaps in the next couple of hours.

[00:26:26]>> Okay. In fact, is that the middle ground that has been found? Maria, keep tracking that story. I will come back to you for more. And that's the frame that you see on your television screen. In just about uh 6 minutes from now, 5 minutes from now, you will perhaps see uh Union Health Minister JP Nada uh address the media. One on what Rahul Gandhi said around 4:30 this afternoon and two on what Sona Wangchuk has just said. If the government assures him that there'll be no legal or penal action against students, [music] against the protesters, he will call off his fast tonight. Uh his indefinite fast, he'll call it off tonight. Sanju Warma Sonam Wangchuk's letter and this discussion that this statement that he's just made that is if there is an assurance he'll call off his fast. Is that the middle ground?

[00:27:20]Is such an assurance likely?

[00:27:23]You know, cliche as it may sound if has decided to take two steps forward in order to hatch out a compromise for want of a better word then I'm sure you know the Modi government will do what needs to be done to ensure uh that the current stalemate is uh you know uh brought to a logical conclusion. Uh but at the same time I want to make one thing very clear. If you notice the statement put out by Solomon Wangchuk before he put out this video and I don't want to second guess uh JP Na G but the fact of the matter is Solom Wanguk says protesters and students who were detained by the police punitive and retaliatory action should not be taken AGAINST THEM. HE HAS NOT USED THE word hooligans. I ask through your channel the people at CJP and Sonopanguk included people who abused the prime minister, people who smashed barricades, people who attacked the Delhi police constabularary, people who attacked the rapid action force, were they bonafide protesters? No. Were they bonafide students? No. So will students get a reprieve? Most likely yes. Will bonafide protesters get a reprieve? Yes. But will professional andolan jvies with a track record of vandalizing public property get a reprieve? The answer is a big no.

[00:28:50]And I'm finally pointing this.

[00:28:52]>> Oh, there's a distinction you're making there. There's a distinction. But is that a government distinction or is is is that your assessment that professional and alundan GVS as you call them there no reprieve for them?

[00:29:06]God tell me honestly I'm currently giving a personal assessment because I said I DON'T WANT TO SECOND guess JP Nadi tell me somebody saying Modi okay give me a moment give me a moment let me bring in Pankuri Pak to get a quick reaction since we have just a couple of minutes to go pankuriak you heard Sonam Wangchuk if he's willing if he's willing to end his fast if there is no action taken Will the Congress still insist on on Dharmmen Padrahan's resignation or is that the middle ground? Have a debate and then move forward with it.

[00:29:45]Well, we are all concerned about Mr. Sonam Banguk Chuk's health and nobody wants him to go on an indefinite fast.

[00:29:53]But having said that, uh as I said earlier, the demand for the resignation of the education minister comes from the students. Uh I'm sure you must have had reporters on the ground and who would have spoken to students who are present not only in Delhi but in protest all across the country. Today there was a massive protest in Patna and where water cannons were used and tear gas shells were used. This is a demand that has been echoing throughout the country.

[00:30:20]Every single student and young person today is asking for the resignation of uh uh of the education minister which I think is completely justified. And this will go on to show that the government is actually serious that it wants to fix accountability because where does the accountability lie? This is an education minister.

[00:30:39]>> Let me bring in Rajat Si to quickly respond to this. I have Dr. Vikram Singh also joining me on this broadcast. Uh Rajat Si will resignation of the opposition continues to demand that Dhandra Pradhan resigns now. Will that bring accountability or will the debate suggest a road ahead?

[00:30:59]There are parliamentary processes to ensure that there is sustained accountability and that fight should be well within uh you know the rules of conduct of the parliament. Opposition parties have access to it. The students don't. This is why the students were on the street and if students are able to reach to a consensus with the government that is something that the opposition should should respect allow the parliament to function table it properly all their concerns through political uh channels that they want to position and and have a party's position in the parliament by all means they should do that but they should not try and break the rules and and have it its my way or the highway especially when Sonam Manu who has been the principal figure of this protest if he is trying to find a middle ground So that the students can actually move on. Students have a career to build. For politicians, the career is in the parliament only. What is their career? Their career and their career goals and ambitions have to come come again in power. So they are living to their careers, goals and ambitions. Why should the students not be allowed to go back to to to the classrooms uh to to to their jobs or whatever they want to do and I think this is an opportunity >> free India you know that is something that Darendra Pradhan and Narendra Modi government have to really ensure. Now the number of paper leaks that have taken place but before I bring in Dr. Vikrram Singh I once again want Dr. Vikram Singh please listen in to Sonam Wangchuk listen to Sonam Wangchuk and then we will discuss is this the middle ground. Listening to sonamchuk.

[00:32:42]or fir.

[00:32:47]jail police ash.

[00:33:24]If I get that assurance today that there will be no legal or penal action against the protesting students then I'm willing to end my indefinite fast tonight says sonam wanguk. Is that a road ahead? Is that the way ahead? Dr. Vikrram Singh is that possible? A number of policemen have also been injured. A large number of students have also been injured.

[00:33:44]Protesters have been injured. But is this a middle ground? No FIRS, no legal action. Sir, >> good evening. Gorab G. I'm so happy that you have flagged a very pertinent point there.

[00:34:05]And you very rightly mentioned 120 police officers have sustained very grievous injuries, life-threatening injuries and they are of the ranks of special police commissioner, joint police commissioner, ACPs and BCPS, PCRs have been vandalized. Do you mean to say that all those FIS should be the 10 that have been registered should also be expuned? Should they be kept in obeyance or should they be kept in the deep priest of the time there is good conduct because there is so much of vacasillation and ambivalence that go I would say that there has to be a mutual understanding with an element of finality that then then there is no going back that I did commit myself but then the core committee did not agree to it the core committee did but then the working committee did not agree to this kind of uh isolation and going around and round in circles will not serve the purpose there has to be one spokes spoken one agreement and I see a light at the end of the tunnel today. This seems to seems to be I say it seems to be very reassuring but then the taste of the pudding lies in its eating. I do hope that let us work on it with an honest intention and see where it goes in the next 24 hours. If it does, >> you know, just a short while back in during this discussion, the BJP spokesperson Sanju Vash, he said, "Yes, perhaps no FIRS against students, no FIRS against uh protesting students and protesters." But you know the BJP is using a term professional and GVS you know those who protest on on every issue. If stone pelters were there then perhaps cases against them will still be done. Is that going to be a problem with with Sonam Wangchuk or with the Cockroach Jantaa party or others who are protesting there sir in your view?

[00:35:46]>> Gorab G you have hit the nail on the head when he said Son of Wangu said but here nobody would have but areas and we treat them with not with treat them with like absolute royalty. But those who are and JVS who have vandalized who have bashed up the police officers and who have taken the law in their own hands there should be consequences. Nobody would disagree with that because they are not under the charts. They are I would say undulies and the law must take its own course. God of G.

[00:36:15]>> Stay with me for a moment and I want all our guests to stay as we wait for for the press conference of JP Nada. I want to for a moment play out a conversation my colleague Arvind Doja had with this Delhi police ACP who was injured. So Delhi police's assistant commissioner of police J Prakash. Now he's from Punjabi bug area. uh he suffered a head injury as you can see in that image. He was on active duty at Jantaar Mantar. Uh apparently it was a stone pelting incident. Now my colleague Arvind Doja spoke to ACP J Prakash to ask him what happened. Listen into an excerpt of that conversation. I'll get you more on that story.

[00:37:03]First line of barricade.

[00:37:18]Mhm.

[00:37:30]treatment.

[00:37:39]GG.

[00:37:48]First line of barricating street.

[00:38:08]We'll show you all sides of the story. I want you to see at uh you see some more images that Delhi police are now scanning these images. They've released exclusive CCTV images both July 20 and July 21. Delhi police says watch these images.

[00:38:27]See who are these protesters. All a part of CJPled protests and how there was chaos, violence and vandalism. Police vehicles were targeted. One set of visuals actually shows protesters. They target security forces personnel.

[00:38:43]Another visual shows rapid action force personnel in the line of fire. Yet another image. Look at this image. Now are these is this allowed? Is this okay?

[00:38:53]Is this acceptable? In the name of any protest that you single out a policeman and then beat him up, punch him, hit him. Policemen targeting uh students not not okay. But protesters targeting policemen, is that okay? Look at how a police officer was gouded and then assaulted. And in just a moment, we'll break down multiple videos frame by frame. And this is why the Delhi police says they were videographing this very extensively. The entire CCTV footage lays bare that very violent turn these protests took and they claim police insist all of this was well planned. It was well orchestrated. The police in their report has said 199 police personnel required medical attention following the clashes. Amongst those who were injured include 10 senior officers, eight IPS officers, two Danips officers.

[00:39:48]Forces also claim 15 to 20 government vehicles were damaged in this peaceful protest. Visual number one, I want you to go full frame on those images. The first CCTV image is released by Delhi police. Watch these images very carefully. Protesters seen on a CCTV camera. Now there are students, yes, but masked stone pelters.

[00:40:14]Notice what happens next. They pick up stones. They pick up other objects lying there and hurl them in the direction of the police across the barricade. There is no Lati charge. Lati charge is not happening. The police are on the other side of the barricade. And this is where these protesters they hurl projectiles at police vehicles that are parked there.

[00:40:35]They have they've covered their faces apparently in an attempt to conceal their identity. The Delhi police say this evidence shows that a section of this of the protesters they came prepared to target security forces personnel. I want to bring in Dr. Vikram Singh into this conversation for a moment. Dr. Vikram Singh as you look at these images planned a mob that that joined these protesters to target security forces.

[00:41:03]Now are these what the BJP describes as professional andolan gvies who came there with the intention to create trouble and should FIR not be registered against them either?

[00:41:15]>> That's a polite way of saying Gorav G that they were Andul and GBs. I would say this is a premeditated very well-c calibrated planned writing that was put into action and those behind it are professional writers. I think we are all aware of the names of those Azal and Azam from Sri Lampur who were accused under the Makoka also had gone there with their goons and to target a single ACP who was just doing his duty ACP jakash in question and then to hit him with brickbats and also level false allegations thereafter that police fired through pellet guns. Pellet gun is not an official issue of the police and it is actually a kata. Probably it would have happened that somebody could not handle the ka well in it of its own and shy because a police gun would also penetrate the body. These are skin deep and only epidermis deep gunshot wounds which will happen only from a ka that has gone ori and that was missed that must have missed its target. Therefore to say it was the police who fired this ka or pellet gun this is absolute nonsense. I've never heard anything any preposters as this go. Therefore, I would say a very well-c calibrated very well organized oil and grease machinery for this rioting. I would not say should cases not be registered even in these cases where masked men are pelting stones at the police. Should no FIR be registered here either?

[00:42:45]U I think the Congress does not support violence of any kind from any side and we have been consistently saying this but I believe that these people who can be seen pelting stones and we even saw pictures of a police personal pelting stones. So we have seen both both the visuals but I would still say that the protest which has been largely peaceful for such a long time. I feel it's the BJP and government sponsored people who went there and pelted stones just to give the protest a bad name because we have seen uh thousands of visuals of how the students were actually folding their hands in front of police personnel. They were even giving flowers out and they were requesting that you know we are students don't beat us and we saw all kinds of atro >> even women protesters were groped they were hit on their private parts we all saw those videos I don't know why they are not being played now maybe because you're just playing one you want to show another side of the protest but >> we are showing all sides of the protest we are showing all sides of the protest >> you know Rahul Gandhi showed one side but on India today we are showing all sides ma'am We are showing all sides. So kindly kindly be rest assured. But uh >> I am sure if there is there is a neutral investigation it would be found out that these are BJP and government sponsored people.

[00:44:07]>> Fair enough. You've raised a very you've raised a big allegation. Sanju Warma wants to respond.

[00:44:12]>> Sanju respond. The Congress party says these are BJP sponsored pilters.

[00:44:28]Do you think the Congress is not aware that its political credibility today is absolutely plumbing new depths? Rahul credibility now Miss Pak when when you were speaking Sangua didn't interrupt kindly extend the same courty ma'am.

[00:44:52]>> YES YOU KNOW THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CABAL is judiciary CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA.

[00:45:03]THIS IS WHAT Rahul Gandhi has come down to because his political credibility in emergency hospital.

[00:45:35]Nobody can nobody can G1 continue.

[00:46:29]peace of minds or especially MP Let science Fast MP protesters.

[00:47:39]Now son Wangchuk has written a letter to union ministers JP Nadai and Dr. Jitendra Singh a day after they met him at the hospital. In his letter, Sonam Wangchuk urged the center not to take any legal, penal, punitive action against the protesters. He insists that the Sanssad march protest from the side of the protesters was absolutely peaceful and that it was the police that resorted to the use of force. Sonamanguk also made his position very clear on the hunger strike. Sonamchuk said he's prepared to end this indefinite fast if members of parliament urged him to do so. Point one and point two. If government provides concrete asurances that the concerns raised by the protesters by the students were addressed. He however warned that if there wasn't a concrete assurance given to him, his fast will continue. In fact, in about 25 minutes from now at 8:30, Union Health Minister JP Nada, he will be addressing a press conference various points that were raised by leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi in his press conference [music] earlier this afternoon around 4:30 this afternoon. Rahul Gandhi raised certain points uh three specific demands and I'll tell you in detail about those specific demands. Perhaps we'll hear the Union Health Minister respond to uh the the points raised by Rahul Gandhi because he doubled down on the Congress's attack against the Narendra Modi government. At this press conference, Rahul Gandhi put forward three demands to the center. Demand number one, Union Education Minister Dhandra Pradhan must step down. In fact, this has been raised both by leader of opposition in Lok Saba and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha. I said there can be a debate once there is an assurance that Dhindra Padraan will step down. Demand number two, action should be taken against those who targeted students and protesters which means action must be taken against police personnel. Demand number three, an apology an apology for not acknowledging the the hardships that students were facing. So a day after leading a protest march close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's seven localmar residents for which they were subsequently detained Rahul Gandhi and Congress MPs they carried on with their protest in parliament. Watch those images. Most of them were dressed in black. Congress leaders and of course Samwadi party leaders joined in. uh opposition MPs and especially Congress MPs said that they're observing a black day today, accusing the Modi government of refusing to fix accountability over repeated paper leaks and alleged police atrocities against protesters. But there's another question that's being raised. Is the opposition united in taking on the government? Yesterday it was the Amadi party that accused the Congress of trying to steal CJP's thunder or the cockroach Jantaa party's thunder to take away the credit because it's the CJP that's been carrying out uh the protests and fight against the government. The Congress is now being accused of jumping into this at the 11th hour and then trying to steal that thunder. Today the Samamajwadi party chief Akileleshadav although he's very close to the Congress party Akile Shadav lashed out in parliament asking if there was some kind of a deal between the BJP and the Congress that Samwadi party was not being given an opportunity to speak.

[00:51:10]The government however hit back blaming the opposition for the current situation. The center says despite repeated offers for a full-fledged discussion on the paper leak on related issues in parliament, Congress and Rahul Gandhi, they continue to shift the goalpost. The government claims the Congress initially agreed to a discussion but later shifted the goalpost insisting first Dhandra Pradhan as education minister must resign. So we'll get you that story 8:30. We'll also get you the press conference of JP Nada. But we have another story that's coming up. Watch that image on your television screen. That's an assistant commissioner of Delhi police, an ACP of Delhi police. He was injured in stone pelting by protesters. That wound that you see on his head. He was taken to hospital. He's spoken to India today.

[00:51:58]He's described the situation on ground.

[00:52:01]So at his press conference, Rahul Gandhi showed some images, some videos of protesting students being targeted, protesters being targeted. On this special broadcast, we get you the other side of the story too. We get you all sides of the story. Watch these images carefully. Pictures of stone pelters targeting the police and a mob caught on camera singling out law enforcers and targeting them. Because here on India First, we get you a 360° perspective. We get you all sides of the story for you to form that big picture without fear of favor. But first let me get to the top developments of the day.

[00:52:45][music] >> It began as a movement over the neat paper league. [music] A hunger strike by Sonam Wangchuk protest led by Koko Jantaa party.

[00:52:59]But now the politics has taken over.

[00:53:04]Delhi has become a battleground and at the center of the confrontation are no longer the students.

[00:53:12]Parliament has become paralyzed.

[00:53:15]The political battle has spilled onto the streets.

[00:53:19]Treasury and opposition benches are logged in a complete deadlock.

[00:53:26]And the Modi government is attempting to end the impass, reiterating that it is ready for a full-fledged discussion on the need paper leak issue in parliament.

[00:53:34][music] The center is accusing the congress and Rahul Gandhi of speaking in two voices agreeing to a discussion initially only to later shift the focus to demands for resignation.

[00:54:26]Mr. Rahul Gandhi, you have been irresponsible.

[00:54:30]I condemn your entire conduct yesterday.

[00:54:34]>> The government's appeal to the opposition is simple. Raise your concerns, but do so on the floor of the House.

[00:55:03]>> [music] >> The center has also stepped up its outreach to the cockroach party and sonuk. Sources say senior ministers JP Nadada and Jitenda Singh met Wangchuk at Midanta Hospital in Gurugram on Tuesday night. The meeting came on the heels of the union minister JP Nada holding talks with the CJP spokesperson who submitted a series of demands to the government.

[00:55:28]But Rahul Gandhi and the Congress remained firm on one key demand.

[00:55:33]Education Minister Dhinda Pradhan's resignation.

[00:55:36]>> Mr. Dhmandra Pradhan who has failed as an education minister should be relieved of his duties. So we fully support these demands and we fully support every single student.

[00:56:04]>> [music] >> The paper leak may have sparked the protest, but politics has now eclipsed the issue itself and by offering an olive branch in the form of a full-fledged discussion in parliament, the government has put the onus on the opposition. The question is, will Congress and the opposition actually put the future of students first or will it be politics as usual for them?

[00:56:30]Ber report, India Today.

[00:56:36]Students first or politics first? You heard leader of opposition say 152 paper leaks in 10 years. Rahul Gandhi insists Darendra Pradan the education minister must quit. In fact, there have been protests not just in Delhi but I want to get you images. There have been protests from Bihar to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh to Chhattisgarh. And what should one make of the Amhadi party versus Congress and Samwadi party versus Congress tussle? Is this now a war for credit?

[00:57:05]Joining me on India first, Sanju Wharma, national spokesperson of the BJP.

[00:57:08]Pankori Patak, national spokesperson of the Congress party. Rashett Kitwai, a political analyst and author as is Rajat Sati. Welcome Sanju Wharma. Rahul Gandhi today claimed 152 paper leaks in 10 years. 7.5 crore students and families impacted zero convictions. Rahul Gandhi says he agrees with protesters. Dhindra Pradhan must quit. Will the government consider this? What's the thinking within your party ma'am?

[00:57:40]You know Gor first and foremost let me through your show make this very clear that the Modi government stands unconditionally and unequivocally shoulderto-shoulder with the youth and the student community of this country.

[00:57:53]That said I will not mince my words.

[00:57:56]While the protest may have started on a bonafidey note let's get one thing very clear. It was infiltrated by professional Angolan GVs. And let me say one thing more. In which peaceful protest do you see lump elements saying Ming Mary Mi gender Mary Mi Omar Khaled Zindabad SHIL ZINDABAD ANYONE who's been looking at social media in the last one week will find out how what was supposed to be a peaceful protest became a completely agenda peddling driven and by professional protesters whose only common binding glue is one their visceral hatred for Narendra Modi.

[00:58:57]Let me make one thing clear. 152 paper leaks says the opposition between 2014 and 2026. I can throw another number at you and you can have this checked by your team. 169 big and small paper leaks from 2004 to 2014 before the Modi government came to the helm of affairs.

[00:59:19]I come from Maharashtra. In 2012 when Prit Chawan was the chief minister of Maharashtra, there were 39 paper leaks.

[00:59:27]Rahul Gandhi Mumij as early as 2022. Ashok Ganot was the chief minister. HIS OWN SONHAV GANOT WAS INVOLVED in the Rajasthan recruitment board scam. RAHUL either way it's the people who suffer. Ma'am, I completely agree with you. Paper leaks is a huge uh challenge. But the fact remains whether it happened under the Congress government or under the BJP government, it is we who are suffering and and what is being done to address it effectively.

[01:00:01]You know, you blame the professional Andolan Karis and Andol and GVS. Fair enough. But what about the students who are seeking justice ma'am and I'll come back to you to respond to that point because that's the core issue. Pankuri Pak is the debate on the floor of the house more important so that there is a solution that the best heads I mean after all we've elected these 543 lawmakers and send them to Lok Sabha discuss this find a solution is that more important or sticking to the resignation of the education minister government says they're willing to discuss everything opposition is tying away shying away by changing the goalpost ma'am >> uh First of all uh Gor because I just heard the BJP spokesperson I would like to say that uh the BJP script of anybody raising questions from the government becoming antinational and GB and whatn not I think people uh have seen through it especially the youth of the country they don't buy any of that anymore but coming back to your question uh since the last 3 days we have been demanding a discussion in the parliament we have been giving notices for adjournment motion. The government has not clarified what kind of discussion they are willing to uh to have in the parliament.

[01:01:19]Secondly, uh when I saw on your cont everyone's been saying that the demand for the res resignation of the prime minister has come from Rahul Gandhi or from the Congress party. Let me make it very clear today uh thousands and lacks of youngsters have come out on the streets with the very same demand.

[01:01:41]This is how this protest actually started and I think it's a very justified demand. Uh a person and an education minister who not only inhitive but who's also very insensitive he has failed to apologize for the death of 25 children who lost their lives due to the leak in the neat exam. I think that person does not deserve to stay in his position. The people of India, the youth of India, the students of India have lost trust on the education minister. I mean there is no question he must go. So this is not a demand of the Congress party. This is a demand of the students of India and we are just echoing that.

[01:02:20]>> So you're saying he must go before the debate. Okay. Sanjuma wants to quickly respond. 30 second ma'am before I bring in Rajat Sati and Rashid Kidd quickly 30 30 seconds.

[01:02:31]You know this is a highly UNPOPULAR OPINION BUT UNDER ARTICLE 75 of the Indian constitution the prime minister is mandated to decide who he will induct into his CABINET WHO HE WILL EXPEL FROM HIS CABINET WHO HE WILL DISMISS FROM HIS CABINET. THAT IS A PREROGATIVE THAT THE PRIME minister enjoys. Gorav saw Sanju Bharma Kanguri Rashid Kwai will NOT DECIDE THAT. POINT NUMBER TWO I WANT TO AGAIN REINFORCE GORAM VERY CATEGORICALLY. WE STAND WITH students but 99.5% of the people at the CJP protest are propagandists THEIR AGENDA PEDDLERS.

[01:03:08]TELL ME HONESTLY which sane minded student attacks the police force, attacks the rapid action force, SMASHES BARRICADES, PEPPER SPRAYS the police contabulary AND THEN THESE PEOPLE HAVE THE audacity to lecture the Modi government on political morality. My final point I was listening TO ABIJI DIPK THANK GOD this person's you know shade has been EXPOSED WHAT DID HE SAY 24 HOURS BACK they have come down to the level of prime minister Modi is not just the duly elected prime minister he's old enough to be Abhishit Dipk's father this is the kind of language THAT HAS BEEN RATIONALIZED normalized by the Dharbari Rahul Gandhi le ecosystem and then they talk about political morality. You guys have some audacity. PEOPLE CAN >> LET ME bring in Rajati. Let me bring in Rajati.

[01:04:08]>> Okay. Okay. Quickly pankuri mad quickly ma'am so that I can bring in other guests.

[01:04:14]>> When Sanju said that this is the prerogative of the prime minister to decide who will stay in his cabinet or not. I think that just goes on to show the arrogance of the BJP government that they have forgotten that the prime minister's power also comes from we the people from the people of India who have given him that power. So when the people have lost trust in a certain minister in this government you cannot just suppress their voice you have to listen to their sentiments and it doesn't matter that you are showing the thumbs down to the youth and students of this country. The youth and students are showing it comes down to you look that they are showing right to your face you have shown that you DON'T HAVE THEIR TRUST ANYMORE AND no matter you can give them you can OR YOU CAN GIVE THEM BUT THE STUDENTS students of the country give me a moment give me hold you accountable you cannot keep running >> give me a moment let me bring in Rajat Si and and Rashid into this conversation Rajat Si Kiran Riiju parliamentary affairs minister says the government is 100% ready for a discussion. Health minister JP Nata said words to the effect in Rajyasabad too. Is the government being difficult unwilling to consider the opposition's demand for Dhandra Pradhan's resignation before the debate or is there merit in the government saying debate first then we'll see.

[01:05:40]So there are two principal uh actors Gorov uh first is the student uh protesters and everybody who is uh uh sitting in on the protest I would still not distinguish uh and attack the messenger there but let's assume that if uh the students uh who are sitting were to find a middle ground with the government those negotiations are going on uh several rounds of discussions have been proposed there are back channel discussions also happening and I believe Sonam Wangchuk has himself released a letter where he has said that the government should consider the resignation of go of Dharm Pradhan. So this softening of the tone if it happens from the student protesters side and also from the government side so that greater accountability is fixed. I believe that's how the culmination should happen. But the real problem are these political vultures who are smelling political meat here. This is the real problem. They have shifted the goalpost consistently since Monday when the parliament started. The questioner itself both Rahul Gandhi and Akil Shad G they got opportunity in the zero hour itself to ask the question and hold the government accountable they were they also proposed that the discussion should happen there but on Monday and later in the t on Tuesday they realized that this is fast snowballing and let's just milk maximum political capital out of it right so they are now gradually shifting the goalpost saying that we won't even join the parliament discussion till Dhin Pradhan does not resign I mean how can these people become the the principal arbiter on what should be the middle ground between the students and the government. That is the >> very strong strong strong words you've used that these are political vultures who've spelled blood or words to that effect. Rashid Kit, would you agree with this characterization of the opposition and should there be a debate first or should there be resignation first?

[01:07:27]Because both Treasury benches and opposition it appears are more interested in point scoring rather than discussing this very burning issue of need paper leak and and that mafia that paper leak mafia in our country. Yeah, Gor if what city is saying about being political vulture and political mean then I think all political parties are guilty of that. You covered the UPA years. What happened to Aira Raja? What happened to Pawan Bansal? What happened to Shiv Patil? What happened to Virat Rahesh? Series of resignations were taken and the demand for resignation came from Abodish and rightly so.

[01:08:10]Give me give me 30 seconds. There's breaking news coming in from Maidanta Hospital in Gurugram hours after he wrote that letter to Union Ministers JP Nata and Dr. Jendra Singh. Sonam Wangchuk has now issued a video message and Sonam Wangchuk in this video [music] message India today has access that message. He says he will end his fast if legal action if the government assures him that there will be no FIRS no legal action [music] against students who are protesting. Sonam Wangchuk in fact has then said that if the government does [music] not agree to this does not agree with his demands then his indefinite fast will continue. We'll get you more on this but just first first listen in listen in to son But firch.

[01:09:52]Big statement. [music] Big statement from Sonam Wangchuk. He says if the government can give him an assurance that there will be no FIR, no legal action, no penal action against the protesters, then he is willing to end his fast tonight itself, today itself.

[01:10:10]Let me quickly bring in my colleague Maria Shakil for more on this. Maria Health Minister JP Nata is likely to address a press conference in about 10 minutes from now. Do we see that assurance from the government that if there is an assurance he will end his fast and if that fast ends tonight then perhaps there could be a solution.

[01:10:30]Maria?

[01:10:31]>> Yes. Uh look the fact that Sonam Wangchuk has released this video just minutes ahead of JP Nadar's press conference it certainly is an indication that in the press conference which will be addressed by the union minister who has been engaging with him it there will be some kind of assurance which will be coming in. Look, the government has been saying that they are open to talks. They have been saying that they are standing with the youth and the protesting students. The concerns of the students will be addressed. The point that has been made by Sonam Wangchuk here becomes important. He is saying that the assurance has to come from the government that there'll be no punitive action against protesting students that all their demands have to be looked in in the due course. But as far as any action against the students are concerned that should not happen because what what was carried out on 20th was largely a peaceful protest. So I see this as clearly an indication that at 8:30 when JP Nada who was the minister who engaged him and the letter that was written by Sonam Wangchuk was addressed to Mr. to Nada [music] and to Union Minister Jetendra Singh uh saying that his demands are very clear [music] and in public domain. No mention whatsoever of the resignation demand of Dhm Pradhan. So clear indication that [music] Sonam Wangchuk's uh you know fast could end perhaps in the next couple of hours.

[01:11:52]>> Okay. In fact, is that the middle ground that has been found? Maria, keep tracking that story. I will come back to you for more. And that's the frame that you see on your television screen. In just about uh 6 minutes from now, 5 minutes from now, you will perhaps see uh Union Health Minister JP Nada uh address the media. One on what Rahul Gandhi said around 4:30 this afternoon and two on what Sona Wangchuk has just said. If the government assures that there'll be no legal or penal action against students, against the protesters, he will call off his fast tonight uh his indefinite fast, he'll call it off tonight. Sanju Warma Sonam Wangchuk's letter and this discussion that this statement that he's just made that is if there is an assurance he'll call off his fast. Is that the middle ground?

[01:12:46]Is such an assurance likely?

[01:12:49]You know cliche as it may sound if has decided to take two steps forward in order to hatch out a compromise for want of a better word then I'm sure you know the Modi government will do what needs to be done to ensure uh that the current stalemate is uh you know uh brought to a logical conclusion. Uh but at the same time I want to make one thing very clear. If you notice the statement put out by Sonam Wanguk before he put out this video and I don't want to second guess uh JP Naga G but the fact of the matter is Sonam Wanguk says protesters and students who were detained by the police punitive and retaliatory action should not be taken AGAINST THEM. HE HAS NOT used the word hooligans. I ask through your channel the people at CJP and Sonu Panchchuk included people who abused the prime minister, people who smashed barricades, people who attacked the Delhi police constabularary, people who attacked the rapid action force, were there bonafide protesters? No. Were they bonafide students? No. So will students get a reprieve? Most likely yes. Will bonafide protesters get a reprieve? Yes. But will professional andolan jvies with a track record of vandalizing public property get a reprieve? The answer is a big no.

[01:14:16]And I'm finally pointing this.

[01:14:18]>> Oh, there's a distinction you're making there. There's a distinction. But is that a government distinction or is is is that your assessment?