Gandhi Challenges Home Ministry Over Alleged Use of Pellet Guns Against Student Protesters

Accountability Demanded for Violent Delhi Crackdown

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has dispatched a formal communication to Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking an explanation for what he characterized as a "barbaric assault" on students in Delhi. Gandhi's inquiry focuses on the events of July 20, 2026, where security forces allegedly employed lethal force, including pellet guns and tear gas, against youth demanding educational reforms. In his letter dated July 25, Gandhi asserted that peaceful dissent is a democratic fundamental and that the government bears the obligation to protect protesters rather than suppress them through violence.

Evidence of Injuries and Unidentified Personnel

The Congress leader highlighted specific accounts of brutality, including allegations that female students were targeted by police and that hundreds sustained serious injuries. Gandhi brought national attention to the case of Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old student currently at risk of losing an eye due to pellet gun wounds. Addressing the media at 10 Janpath, Gandhi displayed Lochab’s injuries, questioning why a student carrying the national flag was met with such force. The letter to the Home Ministry poses two direct questions:

• Did the Home Minister personally approve the use of lethal weapons and pellet guns against student groups?
• Were the individuals in civilian clothing who were seen wielding batons actual police personnel or unauthorized volunteers, and who sanctioned their presence?

Genesis of the Youth Movement

The protests originated from the Collective for Justice and Peace (CJP), an organization founded by Abhijeet Dipke. Originally a satirical digital campaign in May, it transformed into a significant movement following systemic failures involving the NEET exam paper leaks. The agitation centered at Jantar Mantar gained substantial traction after activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the efforts on June 28, initiating a hunger strike alongside AISA members. While Wangchuk concluded his fast recently following government outreach, the police response to a march toward Parliament on July 20 serves as a catalyst for the current political tension.

Official Denials and Security Responses

While Rahul Gandhi demands a formal apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and legal action against those responsible for the violence, official agencies have countered some of the claims. The Delhi Police have issued a denial regarding the use of pellet guns during the July 20 demonstration. However, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), whose Rapid Action Force units were present during the march, has not issued a statement regarding the specific munitions deployed against the crowd.

Source: The Hindu — National