Rahul Gandhi Demands Accountability Over Alleged Assault on Student Protesters, Writes to Amit Shah

New Delhi, July 2026: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking accountability over the alleged use of force against students protesting in Delhi on July 20. In his letter, Gandhi accused security personnel of using excessive force against demonstrators who were demanding transparency and accountability in the country’s education system.

Describing the incident as a “barbaric assault,” Gandhi said the students had gathered peacefully to raise concerns over alleged irregularities in the examination system. Instead of engaging in dialogue, he alleged, security forces responded with indiscriminate force, including the use of tear gas and other measures that left hundreds of students injured.

In the letter, Gandhi expressed particular concern over reports that pellet guns had been used during the protests. Referring to media reports and visuals circulating on social media, he claimed that several protesters suffered serious injuries, including journalists covering the demonstrations.

He cited the case of 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab, whom he said he had met personally. According to Gandhi, the student sustained severe injuries and was at risk of losing an eye after allegedly being struck by pellets during the protest.

The Congress leader also alleged that women students were subjected to physical assault during the police action. He claimed that female protesters were mishandled and accused some security personnel of deliberately targeting sensitive parts of their bodies during the crackdown.

Seeking answers from the Union Home Minister, Gandhi posed two specific questions in his letter. He asked whether Amit Shah had authorised the use of force, including pellet guns, against the protesters. If not, he sought clarification on who had approved such action.

He also questioned the role of individuals seen in plain clothes allegedly assaulting students with lathis during the protests. Gandhi asked whether these individuals were police personnel or volunteers and under whose authority they had been deployed.

Emphasising the importance of protecting democratic rights, Gandhi said peaceful protest is an essential pillar of democracy and that governments have a responsibility to listen to citizens rather than suppress dissent through force. He argued that the alleged violence had deeply shocked the nation and called for transparency and accountability in handling the incident.

The developments come after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) called off its protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday following the Centre’s acceptance of its key demands after the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The decision was announced after the third round of talks between Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh and CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. The government agreed to withdraw police cases filed against protesting students, provide written confirmation of the withdrawal of FIRs, and ensure maximum possible compensation for the families of students who lost their lives in incidents linked to the alleged examination paper leak controversy.

Following the meeting, CJP leaders appealed to students to end their agitation, stating that the government had accepted all their principal demands. Speaking to the media, Saurav Das urged protesters to return home, saying there was no further need to continue the sit-in after the Centre’s assurances.

Team Maverick.