Rahul Gandhi Questions Amit Shah Over Police Action on Student Protesters; INDIA Bloc Rallies Behind LoP

New Delhi, July 2026 : Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday intensified his attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged police action against students during the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, asserting that the Home Minister must clarify whether he had authorised the operation or was unaware of it. His remarks came as the political row over the issue escalated, with several leaders from the INDIA bloc backing his stand and demanding accountability from the Centre.

Speaking to reporters within the Parliament complex after the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, Gandhi maintained that there were only two possible explanations for the police action against the protesters.

“I have only said that there can be two possibilities. Either the Home Minister gave the order, or he did not know about it. If he gave the order, then he is responsible. If he did not know, then it raises questions about his competence. There cannot be a third possibility,” Gandhi said.

The Congress leader also questioned Amit Shah’s absence during the discussion in the Lok Sabha and said the Home Minister should have addressed the allegations directly.

“He did not come to Parliament. If he has done nothing wrong, then he should come before the House and clearly state that he did not issue any such order. A clarification from him would have settled the matter,” Gandhi remarked.

The controversy stems from allegations surrounding the police response to the July 20 student protest in the national capital, where demonstrators had gathered to raise concerns over examination-related irregularities. The BJP has rejected the allegations, maintaining that no firing took place during the protest and accusing Rahul Gandhi of making misleading statements in Parliament.

Leaders of the INDIA bloc, however, defended Gandhi and renewed their demand for greater transparency regarding the police action.

Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad said the Opposition had consistently sought a detailed discussion on the alleged use of force against the protesters.

“We had demanded that Parliament discuss the lathicharge on students. There should be accountability. If remarks against former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru remain on record, then why should criticism of the Prime Minister or the Home Minister become unacceptable?” Azad said.

Congress MP Tariq Anwar echoed similar sentiments, stating that the country deserved to know who authorised the police operation.

“The entire nation wants to know who ordered action against the students. Rahul Gandhi did not use any unparliamentary language. Parliament has every right to seek answers on such an important issue,” he said.

Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Kumar Jha dismissed demands that Rahul Gandhi apologise for his remarks.

“What should he apologise for? Was force not used? Were lathis not used? Were students not subjected to excessive action? Delhi Police functions under the Union Home Ministry. These are legitimate questions that deserve answers,” Jha said.

Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan also criticised the government’s handling of the debate, alleging that the Opposition was not allowed to present its views fully.

“It had been agreed that all parties would be given sufficient time to discuss the issue. But when the Leader of the Opposition began speaking, he was repeatedly interrupted, and the time available for other Opposition members was also reduced,” she alleged.

Hasan questioned why Amit Shah had not addressed Parliament on the issue.

“The Opposition simply wants to know who ordered the action against the protesters. If there is nothing to hide, the Home Minister should come to the House and clarify,” she said.

Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav also criticised the government, saying that while the amendment Bill had been passed, questions surrounding the handling of the student protests remained unanswered.

“The legislation has been approved, but the larger issue still remains. Who authorised the action against the students, and why has the government not provided a clear explanation? These questions continue to concern the country,” he said.

The controversy has added another flashpoint to the ongoing confrontation between the government and the Opposition during the Monsoon Session, with both sides standing firm on their positions over the handling of the student protests and the subsequent parliamentary debate.