Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) held a symbolic protest on the Parliament premises by wearing black clothes to protest against the Centre’s handling of students and recent developments in the national capital.
The coordinated demonstration came just hours before the day’s parliamentary session, and leaders of various opposition parties came out to protest. The black attire was meant to signify dissent and to draw attention to what opposition leaders said the government has failed to respond to students’ concerns.
#WATCH | Delhi: Wearing black clothes, Opposition MPs protest on the Parliament premises.
— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2026
Earlier this morning, Congress MP Pawan Khera told ANI that all Opposition MPs are wearing black today as a mark of "protest against what they have done to the students of this country in… pic.twitter.com/TeSJhhoBjs
Congress MP Pawan Khera explained the reason behind the coordinated action, stating that opposition lawmakers had decided to wear black as a sign of protest.
Khera said the demonstration was also aimed at highlighting the government's response to student issues in Delhi, its action to recent student unrest, and the decision to keep Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as the education minister in office.
"All Opposition MPs are wearing black today as a protest against what they have done to the students of this country in the capital city of Delhi, a protest against the insistence on Dharmendra Pradhan continuing in his position, a protest against the way this Government has responded to the students' unrest," said Khera.
The protest comes at a time of high political tensions over education issues, and opposition parties have raised concerns about the actions of the government towards students. Opposition leaders have argued that students' concerns deserve more attention and have called for accountability from the Centre.
But the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has said it will continue to reform education through policy changes, digital initiatives, better access to higher education and, in the process, enhance the examination system. Government officials also defended the work of the Education Ministry and said they have done their best to address the problems whenever they have occurred.
The black-clothing protest is one of many symbolic demonstrations in Parliament that are seen in each session where opposition parties often wear coordinated attire, wave placards or protest quietly in public to communicate their political message and bring attention to issues that matter.
Education and student welfare will be key topics of discussion in Parliament as we continue to work through key legislative and policy issues. Opposition parties will continue to press the government on these issues inside and outside of the House.
The protest also speaks to a larger political debate about governance, accountability and public policy, with the government and opposition trying to demonstrate their positions about each other in front of Parliament and the public.
There will be more debates on education policy, student welfare and the working of the Education Ministry in the current parliamentary session.
