Who gave the order? Rahul Gandhi to Amit Shah over 'barbaric assault' on students

In his letter to Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi sought accountability from the Centre over the use of excessive force to suppress a movement, which, according to him, was peaceful and asked for a fair education system.

In Short

• Rahul Gandhi questions reported use of pellet guns against student protesters
• He seeks answers on the role of plain-clothed personnel during the crackdown
• He alleges women students were assaulted and hundreds injured during the protests

In a letter to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi sought accountability from the government over the use of excessive force on students protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

In the letter, the Congress MP highlighted that the students were protesting peacefully for a 'fair and accountable education system '. However, instead of being heard by the government, they were met with brute force.

"I write to demand accountability for the barbaric assault on students who were peacefully protesting in Delhi on July 20, 2026," Gandhi wrote at the outset of the letter.

The Congress MP alleged that security forces assaulted protesters 'with indiscriminate force, including lethal weapons and tear gas,' claiming that hundreds sustained serious injuries during the crackdown.

He further alleged that women students were assaulted by policemen, including by deliberately targeting their private parts.' He also highlighted the alleged use of pellet guns to stifle the protest, which, according to him, was the 'most shocking part' in the alleged crackdown.

Referring to media and social media reports, Gandhi said several people had suffered grievous injuries, including a journalist. He also mentioned meeting 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab, who, according to the letter, is in severe pain and is likely to lose an eye after allegedly being hit by a pellet gun.

GANDHI SEEKS ANSWERS DIRECTLY FROM HOME MINISTRY

Mentioning that security forces deployed in Delhi would ultimately report to the Union Home Ministry, Gandhi sought direct answers from Amit Shah on two key issues.

First, he asked whether the Home Minister had approved the use of 'lethal force,' including pellet guns, against students. If not, Gandhi asked who had authorised their use.

Second, he questioned the identity and authorisation of individuals seen in plain clothes allegedly beating students with lathis. "Are the people in plain clothes seen beating students with lathis police personnel or volunteers? Who authorised their deployment?" the letter asks.

The letter comes amid a political row over the police action during the student protests in the national capital, with the Opposition accusing the government of using excessive force while the authorities have maintained that law and order measures were taken in response to the demonstrations.

The Union Home Ministry has not yet publicly responded to Rahul Gandhi's letter.

GANDHI HOLDS AMIT SHAH RESPONSIBLE EARLIER

A day before, Rahul Gandhi called Amit Shah responsible for the alleged violence unleashed against the protestors.

Holding a press conference a few hours after the Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, Gandhi said that Shah 'authorised the shooting of the students.'

"We hold Mr Amit Shah directly responsible for the violence that has taken place against our students. He authorised the shooting of our students. He authorised the use of lethal weapons, including pellet guns, against our students," he added.

He also said that the protest highlighted a deepening crisis in the system, and it was the beginning of a much deeper calamity.

GANDHI PROTESTED IN SUPPORT OF THE STUDENTS

As the students began their agitation in Jantar Mantar, Rahul Gandhi expressed his solidarity and extended his support towards them. He also sat in a sit-in protest outside the Prime Minister's residence. The Delhi Police detained him.

He also held a press conference a few days back where he spoke about the alleged growing unemployment in the country. He said that India was heading to a storm as the government is failing to create adequate jobs for the citizens.

- Ends