New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has formally written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking accountability for what he described as a “barbaric assault” on students protesting peacefully in the national capital. Gandhi questioned whether the Home Minister had authorized the use of “lethal force,” including pellet guns, against the youth.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Gandhi’s letter, dated July 25, details concerns over the alleged use of indiscriminate force by security personnel on July 20, when students were protesting demanding a fair and accountable education system. The Congress leader stated that hundreds of students sustained serious injuries, and alleged that women students were particularly targeted.
Allegations of Lethal Force and Injuries
Gandhi’s correspondence highlighted media and social media reports indicating severe injuries among protesters, including a journalist. He specifically mentioned meeting Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old student who he stated is in severe pain and faces the likelihood of losing an eye due to pellet gun injuries. Gandhi directly questioned Amit Shah regarding the approval of such force, asking, “As Home Minister, did you approve the use of lethal force, including pellet guns against students? If not, who did?” He also raised concerns about unidentified individuals in plain clothes seen beating students with batons and sought to know who authorized their deployment.
NEET Row and CJP Protests
The protests that led to the alleged crackdown were reportedly spearheaded by the CJP, an organization that began as a satirical online campaign and evolved into a nationwide youth movement focused on accountability for alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. The agitations commenced at Jantar Mantar on June 20, gaining national traction when activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the movement on June 28, undertaking an indefinite fast alongside six AISA activists. Wangchuk reportedly ended his fast after engagement from the central government.
Government Engagement and Crackdown
The government’s initial formal interaction with the CJP leadership occurred on July 20 at the residence of J.P. Nadda. However, on the same day, police reportedly intervened forcefully against protesters marching towards Parliament, an event that Gandhi characterized as a turning point in the agitation, reportedly leading to increased support for the movement.
Rahul Gandhi Addresses Media
Prior to his letter, Rahul Gandhi had also addressed the media, presenting an injured student protester, Sahil, who claimed to have been shot with a pellet gun by security personnel during the July 20 demonstrations. Gandhi displayed the student’s injuries to reporters, emphasizing the damage to Sahil’s eye and his resulting vision impairment. He further reiterated demands for action against those responsible for the baton charges and pellet gun usage, and called for an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the students.
The Delhi Police, however, has denied that its personnel used pellet guns against the protesters during the march. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), whose Rapid Action Force was also deployed on the day, has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the alleged use of pellet guns.
The Chenab Times News Desk