Ranchi/New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding accountability for the alleged police action against students who were peacefully protesting in Delhi on July 20. In his letter, Gandhi alleged that security forces used excessive force, including pellet guns and tear gas, against the demonstrators.
According to the letter, the students were protesting for a fair and accountable education system when they were allegedly met with indiscriminate force instead of dialogue. Gandhi claimed that hundreds of protesters sustained serious injuries during the crackdown. He also alleged that women students were assaulted by police personnel and referred to reports claiming that some were deliberately targeted on their private parts.
Describing the alleged use of pellet guns as the most disturbing aspect of the incident, Gandhi said media and social media reports indicated that several people, including a journalist, had suffered grievous injuries. He specifically mentioned 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab, whom he said he had met personally. According to Gandhi, Sahil is in severe pain and faces the possibility of losing one eye after being hit by pellet gun fire.
In the letter, Gandhi raised two key questions before the Home Minister. He asked whether the use of pellet guns and other forms of lethal force against students had been authorised by the Home Ministry and, if not, who had approved such action. He also sought clarification on the identity of individuals in plain clothes who were seen beating students with lathis, questioning whether they were police personnel or volunteers and who had authorised their deployment.
Concluding his letter, Rahul Gandhi stated that peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy and that it is the government's responsibility to protect protesters and address their grievances through dialogue. He said that such violence undermines democratic values and added that the country's youth and students are demanding accountability, asserting that "their voice will be heard."
The allegations made in the letter represent Rahul Gandhi's claims. The Union Home Ministry had not issued an official response to the letter at the time of publication.
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