Kharge urges Modi to seek Amit Shah's resignation over student FIRs
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that the Centre has been acting with 'vendetta' against students by registering FIRs and carrying out forced detentions following the withdrawal of protests.
In a post on social media platform X, Mr. Kharge referred to the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which was met with a police crackdown using lathis, batons and pellet guns. He also mentioned protests by students in other parts of the country over the NEET paper leak issue.
'Narendra Modi ji, 10 days ago, your government cracked down on the youth using lathis, batons and pellet guns,' Mr. Kharge said. 'Now that the students have withdrawn their protest, you are acting out of a sense of vendetta by filing FIRs against them and subjecting them to forced detentions.'
The Congress president asserted that the youth had agreed to end their agitation on the condition that no punitive action would be taken against them. He claimed that the BJP-led governments have reneged on that promise.
Mr. Kharge also alleged that the social media accounts of young protesters are being blocked and that young women are being 'doxxed' — a term used for publicly revealing private or identifying information about individuals online.
Taking aim at Home Minister Amit Shah, Mr. Kharge said his absence from the House of Parliament and his failure to make a statement on accountability reflected 'arrogance'. 'These tactics for saving face and protecting your image will no longer work; the youth have seen through the truth about you,' he added.
'If there is even a shred of shame left, get Amit Shah to resign,' the Congress chief said in his post.
The allegations come amid an ongoing political row over the handling of protests related to the NEET paper leak. The government has not yet formally responded to Mr. Kharge's remarks.
