Congress Leaders Allege Retaliatory Crackdown on Students Following Agitation
Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi administration of violating agreements by filing FIRs and blocking social media accounts of student activists. The opposition leaders claim the government is now targeting youth through doxxing and intimidation tactics.
Key takeaways
- Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi allege the government broke a promise not to prosecute students after they ended their protest.
- The Congress party claims authorities are using doxxing and social media blocks to target and silence Gen Z activists.
- Kharge has formally demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah over his absence from parliamentary discussions on the matter.
- The allegations follow an earlier incident involving the use of pellet guns and batons against student demonstrators.
Allegations of Broken Assurances and Digital Suppression
In a sharp escalation of political tensions on July 31, 2026, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the Narendra Modi administration of targeting students who recently suspended their protest movement. Both leaders alleged that the government violated a prior understanding that guaranteed no legal or administrative action would be taken against participants once the agitation ended.
According to Mr. Kharge, the state has shifted from physical force to legal and digital harassment. He noted that despite the students withdrawing their movement, authorities are now filing FIRs and forcibly detaining individuals. The Congress chief specifically highlighted the doxxing of female protesters, where private information is exposed online to facilitate harassment, and the systematic suspension of activists' social media profiles.
The Standoff Over Accountability
Rahul Gandhi addressed his remarks directly to Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, asserting that the administration cannot intimidate Gen Z into silence. He characterized the recent police actions as an evolution of violence, moving from physical injuries to legal threats. Mr. Gandhi warned that while the current leadership represents India's past, they must be wary of how they handle the nation's future demographic.
The controversy surrounds the following key developments:
- Physical Confrontation: Kharge reminded the public that 10 days prior, security forces utilized lathis, batons, and pellet guns to suppress demonstrators.
- Digital Censorship: Multiple social media accounts belonging to student organizers have reportedly been blocked at the government's request.
- Parliamentary Absence: The Congress President criticized Home Minister Amit Shah for failing to address the matter in Parliament, suggesting a desire to avoid accountability regarding the handling of the protests.
Demands for Resignation
Mallikarjun Kharge concluded his critique by calling for the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah. He argued that the administration is focused on image protection and face-saving measures rather than addressing the grievances of the youth. The opposition maintains that the government's credibility is damaged because it went back on its word to grant amnesty to the protesters after the movement was called off.
Source: The Hindu — National
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