New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding accountability over the police action against students who participated in a protest in Delhi earlier this month. In his letter, Gandhi alleged that peaceful demonstrators were subjected to excessive force and called for a transparent inquiry into the incident.
The Congress leader said the students had assembled to demand a fair and transparent education system but were allegedly met with force instead of dialogue. Referring to reports of injuries sustained during the protest, he claimed that several demonstrators, including women and journalists, suffered serious injuries during the police action.
Gandhi also raised concerns over the reported use of pellet guns during the crowd-control operation. Citing the case of a 19-year-old student, Sahil Lochab, he said the youth had sustained severe injuries and was at risk of losing an eye after allegedly being struck by pellets. He argued that such incidents warrant an independent investigation and accountability from those responsible.
In the letter, Rahul Gandhi posed two key questions to the Home Minister. He sought clarification on whether the use of force, including pellet guns, had received official approval and, if not, who authorised it. He also questioned the presence of individuals in plain clothes who were allegedly seen assaulting protesters with batons, asking whether they were police personnel or volunteers and under whose authority they had been deployed.
Emphasising the importance of peaceful demonstrations in a democracy, Gandhi wrote that it is the government’s responsibility to safeguard protesters while addressing their concerns through dialogue rather than force. He said violence against students undermines democratic values and weakens public trust in institutions.
The Congress MP concluded by stating that the country’s youth deserve answers and accountability, asserting that their voices cannot be ignored. The letter comes amid continued political debate over the handling of student demonstrations and the broader issues surrounding the education system.
