New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding accountability for the alleged assault on students who were peacefully protesting in the national capital on July 20.
In his letter, Rahul Gandhi alleged that students protesting for a fair and transparent education system were met with excessive force by security personnel instead of being heard.
“I write to demand accountability for the barbaric assault on students who were peacefully protesting in Delhi on July 20, 2026. Our students were demanding a fair and accountable education system. Instead of being heard, security forces assaulted them with indiscriminate force, including lethal weapons and tear gas,” Gandhi wrote.
He further alleged that hundreds of protesters sustained serious injuries and claimed that women students were assaulted by police personnel.
Raises Questions Over Use of Pellet Guns
Expressing concern over reports of pellet guns being used during the protest, Rahul Gandhi said the alleged use of such weapons against students was deeply disturbing.
He cited the case of 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab, claiming the student suffered severe injuries and was at risk of losing an eye after allegedly being hit by pellets during the protest.
Seeks Clarification from Home Minister
In his letter, Gandhi sought answers from the Union Home Minister on two key issues:
- Whether the use of force, including the alleged deployment of pellet guns against student protesters, was authorised by the Home Ministry. If not, who approved it.
- Whether individuals seen in plain clothes allegedly assaulting protesters with lathis were police personnel or volunteers, and under whose authority they were operating.
Calls for Protection of Democratic Rights
Highlighting the importance of peaceful protests in a democracy, Rahul Gandhi said the government has a responsibility to protect citizens exercising their democratic rights and to address their grievances through dialogue.
“Peaceful protest is crucial to any democracy. It is the government’s responsibility to protect protesters and resolve their grievances through dialogue. Such brutal violence destroys every norm and has outraged the country. Youth and students, the future of our country, are demanding answers and accountability. Their voice will be heard,” he said.
Student Protest Ends After Centre Accepts Key Demands
Meanwhile, the CJP on Saturday called off its protest at Jantar Mantar after the Centre accepted its principal demands during the third round of discussions.
Following a meeting between Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, and CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, the government agreed to withdraw police cases registered against protesting students, provide written confirmation of FIR withdrawals, and ensure the highest possible compensation for families of students who died in incidents linked to the alleged examination paper leak controversy.
Addressing the media, CJP leaders urged students to end their agitation, stating that the government had accepted all major demands raised during the protest.
Saurav Das appealed to protesters to return home peacefully, saying there was no further reason to continue the sit-in after the Centre’s assurances.
