Congress leader alleges use of pellet guns against peaceful protesters, seeks PM Modi’s apology and action against security personnel
By Our Staff Reporter
New Delhi: Escalating the Opposition’s offensive over the alleged crackdown on students protesting against examination paper leaks, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the Centre of “assaulting the future of the country” and demanded the immediate removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Addressing the media outside Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s residence at 10 Janpath, Rahul Gandhi presented a student protester, identified as Sahil, who he claimed sustained serious injuries after being hit by pellets during the July 20 protest in the national capital.
Displaying the injuries to reporters, Gandhi alleged that the student had suffered damage to one eye while participating in what he described as a peaceful demonstration carrying the national flag.
“This is the future of our country. Thousands of young people have been beaten in lathi-charges and shot with pellet guns simply because they were protesting peacefully,” Gandhi said, accusing the government of responding to students’ concerns with force instead of addressing the issue of examination paper leaks.
The Congress leader reiterated his demand that Dharmendra Pradhan be removed from office, calling him a “criminal education minister” and holding him responsible for what he described as the collapse of the country’s examination system.
According to Gandhi, the continuing controversy over alleged paper leaks in competitive examinations has left lakhs of students uncertain about their future and triggered widespread protests across the country.
He alleged that Sahil had appeared for a police recruitment examination that was allegedly affected by a paper leak, saying the student’s family had invested its savings to support his aspirations.
https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/2080701694598598670?s=20
“His parents worked hard to give him this opportunity. Instead of protecting the dreams of our youth, the government has attacked them,” Gandhi said.
The Leader of the Opposition demanded three immediate steps from the Centre: the dismissal of the Education Minister, action against security personnel allegedly responsible for using force against students, and a public apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The Education Minister, because of whom students are protesting and paper leaks have occurred, must be removed. Those responsible for firing pellets and carrying out lathi-charges against students must face action. The Prime Minister, who heads the system, should apologise to the thousands of students who have suffered,” he said.
Expressing concern over Sahil’s medical condition, Gandhi said doctors were still uncertain whether the student’s injured eye could be fully restored.
“Stop assaulting and threatening our students,” he said, accusing the government of suppressing peaceful democratic protests.
Sahil, who accompanied Gandhi during the press interaction, said he was demanding justice for the injuries he allegedly suffered during the demonstration. According to him, he has already undergone one surgery to remove pellets from his injured right eye and repair the damage, while another procedure is expected.
He was initially admitted to Lady Hardinge Medical College before being shifted to Safdarjung Hospital and later referred to the AIIMS Trauma Centre on July 21 for specialised treatment.
The incident has intensified the political debate over the alleged use of pellet guns during the July 20 protests.
However, Delhi Police has categorically denied allegations that its personnel used pellet guns against demonstrators during the march. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), whose Rapid Action Force personnel were also deployed during the protest, has not publicly responded to questions regarding the allegations.
The Opposition has continued to target the government over the handling of student demonstrations, arguing that concerns over examination irregularities and paper leaks should be addressed through reforms rather than police action.
The Centre, meanwhile, has maintained that law enforcement agencies acted to maintain public order during the protests and has rejected allegations of excessive use of force.
The controversy is expected to further intensify the political confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Opposition, with student issues emerging as a major flashpoint in the ongoing parliamentary session.