NSUI, Youth Congress workers detained before protesting Dharmendra Pradhan’s visit to Bhopal

Several Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and National Students Union of India (NSUI) workers were detained in various parts of Bhopal on Saturday (June 13, 2026)as they planned to protest the visit of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET question paper leak and other issues concerning students. 

Mr. Pradhan was in Bhopal to take part in various events, including a State Government event to commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12 years in office. 

Workers of the NSUI and the IYC had planned demonstrations in various parts of the city by showing black flags to Mr. Pradhan in protest against the paper leak in NEET-UG exam and discrepancies regarding the CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system following the release of the Class 12 Board exam results.  

At least 15 workers were taken into custody at the State Congress headquarters as soon as they stepped out of the premises carrying posters and banners in their hands, Habibganj police station in-charge Sanjeev Chaukse told The Hindu. 

Mr. Chaukse said, “There were intelligence inputs that they may create disturbance along the VIP route and at events. So, we took them in preventive custody outside the Congress office.”

Videos also showed that police personnel in civil attire also entered the premises of the Congress headquarters to pick up protesters.  

Mr. Chaukse said that several workers were also detained at other locations and that they were yet to be released. 

When asked what intel had been received, the officer said, “They were planning to show black flags. That is not peaceful protest.”

Those detained involved NSUI State president Ashutosh Chouksey, IYC State vice-president Abhishek Parmar and district president Amit Khatri with M.P. Congress claiming that various leaders were taken into custody from their houses. 

“Dharmendra Pradhan ji, in democracy, there should be courage to listen to dissent, not to suppress it! You are accountable for the NEET paper leak, so instead of being scared of black flags, face the students’ questions!” the Congress said on X, slamming the detention.