Rahul Gandhi seeks accountability for violence against students, questions use of lethal force
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New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding accountability over the alleged brutal assault on students who peacefully protested in Delhi on July 20.
In his letter, Gandhi said the students had been campaigning for a fair and accountable education system but were met with excessive force by security personnel. He alleged the use of indiscriminate force, including tear gas and pellet guns, and said hundreds suffered serious injuries. Gandhi cited accounts of women students being assaulted, including reports of violence targeting private parts.
“Most shocking has been the use of lethal pellet guns,” he wrote, noting media and social media evidence of grave injuries, including to a journalist. Gandhi said he met 19 year old student Sahil Lochab, who faces possible loss of an eye after being hit by pellets.
Gandhi asked two specific questions of the Home Minister: whether Amit Shah had approved the use of lethal force, including pellet guns, and if not, who authorised it; and whether the plain clothed individuals seen assaulting students with lathis were police personnel or volunteers, and under whose authority they were deployed.
Stressing democratic rights, Gandhi wrote that peaceful protest is vital to democracy and that the government must protect protesters and address 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,” he said.
The letter comes after the CJP on Saturday called off its protest at Jantar Mantar following talks with the Centre and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Government negotiators, including Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Union Minister Jitendra Singh, accepted key demands: withdrawal of police cases against protesting students with written confirmation of FIR withdrawals, and assurances of maximum compensation for families of students who died in incidents linked to the alleged paper leak controversy. CJP leaders urged protesters to end the agitation, saying the government’s assurances addressed their demands.
(Inputs from IANS)