Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding accountability for the use of lethal force, including pellet guns, against student protesters. In his letter, Gandhi questioned whether Shah approved the 'indiscriminate' assault on students who were peacefully demanding a fair and accountable education system.
The Letter's Content
Rahul Gandhi's letter, dated July 26, 2026, was posted on social media by journalist Shemin Joy. In it, Gandhi directly asked Shah: 'Did you approve the use of lethal force against students?' He described the incident as a 'barbaric assault' and called for a thorough investigation into the security forces' actions. Gandhi emphasized that the students' legitimate demands were met with violence instead of dialogue.
Context of the Protests
The protests, which erupted earlier this week, were organized by students demanding reforms in the education system, including greater transparency and accountability. Reports indicate that security forces used pellet guns and other lethal measures to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to several students. The Congress leader argued that such force was disproportionate and violated democratic norms.
Political Reactions
The letter has sparked a political firestorm, with opposition parties rallying behind Gandhi's call for accountability. Meanwhile, the ruling BJP has defended the government's actions, stating that force was used only after protesters turned violent. However, Gandhi asserted that the students had exercised their constitutional right to protest and should not have been subjected to such brutality.
Gandhi's demand for accountability is likely to intensify the debate over the use of force in student protests, with implications for upcoming state elections.
