Priyanka Gandhi Questions Use of Force Against Students in Parliament
In a heated session of Parliament, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the government over the handling of student protests that led to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protests, which occurred two days prior, saw security forces using tear gas, lathi-charge, water cannons, and reportedly pellet guns and AK-47s to disperse demonstrators.
Addressing the Speaker, Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah directly, asking whether the students were being treated as terrorists. She demanded to know who authorised the use of such force, including pellet guns, and called for accountability.
Gandhi also took aim at what she described as an over-reliance on public relations and media management to handle the crisis, referring indirectly to the Prime Minister's recent social media posts addressing the protesters. She asserted that the government believed it could overcome the situation through narrative-building and a compliant media.
The Congress party has consistently demanded answers regarding the use of force against unarmed students. The government has not yet officially responded to the allegations raised in Parliament.
This incident highlights the ongoing tension between student activists and the administration, with both sides holding firm positions. The opposition continues to press for a parliamentary inquiry into the events.
