INDIA bloc leaders to visit Siwan to meet injured students after police firing
The INDIA bloc, a coalition of Opposition parties, is likely to send its leaders to Siwan in Bihar to meet three students who were injured in a police firing incident. The students are currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Patna.
According to sources within the alliance, the proposal for the visit was made by the Congress party during a meeting held on Thursday morning. The idea received support from all member parties. While no date has been finalised, senior leaders indicated that the visit is likely to take place during the Parliament session to press the demand for a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the handling of the protests.
The incident dates back to protests by students in Siwan, during which a policeman fired an AK-47 rifle. The video of the firing has been circulating on social media since July 26. Three protesters sustained gunshot wounds and were admitted to hospital. In response, the State administration suspended the policeman and ordered a departmental inquiry.
The Opposition has consistently criticised the police action, describing it as 'brutality' and demanding accountability. They have also highlighted the use of batons, tear gas shells, and pellet guns against protesters. The demand for a statement from the Home Minister has been a recurring theme in Parliament and at public rallies.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has been engaging with various student groups in recent days. He has met students who suffered pellet gun injuries, women who faced baton charges at Jantar Mantar, and activists of the All India Students' Association (AISA) who were on a hunger strike.
The planned visit to Siwan is seen as part of the Opposition's strategy to keep the issue in the public eye and challenge the government's approach to protest management. However, the government has not yet responded to the allegations. The suspension of the policeman and the ordering of an inquiry indicate that the administration is taking the incident seriously.
The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental right under the Constitution. It is the duty of the State to ensure that such protests do not turn violent, and that law enforcement personnel act within the bounds of the law. The incident in Siwan raises questions about the use of force and the need for accountability. A transparent inquiry will help in addressing these concerns.
As the Opposition plans its visit, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the demand for a statement in Parliament. The fallout from the incident is likely to continue, with both sides invoking constitutional principles to make their case.
