3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jul 26, 2026 12:25 PM IST
Indicating that the Opposition is in no mood to relent despite the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) calling off its protest following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Sunday sought accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the “barbaric assault” on student protesters.
Writing to Shah on the eve of Parliament reconvening, Gandhi said, “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.”
“Hundreds have suffered serious injuries. Women students have been assaulted by policemen, including by deliberately targeting their private parts. Most shocking has been the use of lethal pellet guns,” he added.
छात्रों को मारने का आदेश किसने दिया? pic.twitter.com/NDwfka1UqO
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 26, 2026
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Citing media and social media reports, he said several people, including a journalist, suffered grave injuries. He questioned whether Shah had personally sanctioned the use of pellet guns and the alleged deployment of plainclothes personnel to assault protesters.
“I met 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab, who is now in severe pain (and) is likely to lose an eye because he was shot with pellet guns. Security forces deployed in Delhi answer ultimately to you,” he said.
“As Home Minister, did you approve the use of lethal force, including pellet guns, against students? If not, who did? Are the people in plain clothes seen beating students with lathis police personnel or volunteers? Who authorised their deployment? “ he asked.
‘Peaceful protest essential’
He emphasised that peaceful protest is essential in any democracy, and it is the government’s duty to protect protesters and address their concerns through dialogue.
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“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,” Gandhi added.
The Congress leader had previously also targeted Shah on the issue shortly after Pradhan’s sudden resignation on Saturday. Last week, Opposition parties disrupted Parliamentary proceedings over the NEET paper leak, refusing to engage in discussions despite assurances from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and insisting on Pradhan’s resignation as a precondition for debate.
Gandhi’s letter to Shah comes just before the Lok Sabha is scheduled to address two important pieces of legislation: the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026.