Rahul Gandhi holds PM Modi, Amit Shah responsible for police action on students
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the recent police action against students, saying they will have to answer for what he termed a “crime”. His remarks come amid growing concerns over the handling of student protests across the country.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Gandhi alleged that the police action was an attempt to suppress dissent and intimidate students who were peacefully raising their voices. “The students were protesting for their rights. Instead of listening to them, the police were used to silence them. You (PM Modi and Amit Shah) will have to answer for this crime,” he said.
Gandhi also accused the central government of creating an atmosphere of fear in educational institutions. He said that the ruling dispensation has consistently attacked the democratic space and that the treatment meted out to students is a reflection of the government’s intolerance towards criticism.
While the Congress leader did not specify the exact incident, his comments are being seen in the context of recent clashes between students and police at several universities, including protests over examination fees, hostel facilities, and alleged irregularities in admissions. In a few instances, police used water cannons and lathi-charge to disperse demonstrators, leading to injuries and arrests.
Responding to Gandhi’s remarks, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. Party spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the police acted in accordance with the law to maintain peace and order. “The Congress is known for its history of suppressing student movements. Rahul Gandhi has no moral right to speak about democracy and dissent,” Patra said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has not issued an official statement on the issue. However, officials familiar with the matter said that police action is taken only when a situation threatens public order. They added that all standard procedures are followed before any coercive action is resorted to.
Political observers note that this is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has targeted the government over student issues. Earlier this year, he participated in protests against the alleged attack on students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). His latest salvo comes at a time when the opposition is trying to corner the government on multiple fronts, including unemployment and inflation.
The incident has also sparked debate on social media, with users divided along political lines. While some have supported Gandhi’s stand, others have questioned the Congress leader’s own record on handling protests when his party was in power at the Centre.
Meanwhile, student groups have demanded a thorough inquiry into the police action and called for a peaceful protest on Wednesday. They have also sought the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to ensure accountability.
As the political war of words escalates, the central government is expected to take a firm stance, with Home Ministry officials indicating that they will not tolerate efforts to vitiate the academic environment. The coming days are likely to see further statements from both sides, as the issue gains traction in the run-up to the next election cycle.
This report is based on available information and public statements. Further updates will be provided as more details emerge.
