Rahul Gandhi – Opposition Sharpens Criticism Over Police Action Against Student Protesters
Rahul Gandhi – Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stepped up his criticism of the Union government on Friday, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of attempting to suppress the voices of young Indians. In a post shared on X, Gandhi alleged that the government was using police cases and social media restrictions to discourage members of Generation Z from speaking out on public issues.
Rahul Gandhi Targets Centre Over Alleged Crackdown
Addressing the Prime Minister and the Home Minister directly, Gandhi claimed that legal action and online account removals were being used to intimidate students and young citizens. He alleged that after incidents of physical force against protesters, authorities had now turned to filing First Information Reports (FIRs) and restricting online platforms to curb dissent.
The Congress MP also remarked that the country’s youth represent India’s future and urged the government to act responsibly in its dealings with them. His comments formed part of a broader political attack over the handling of recent student demonstrations in the national capital.
Demand for Supreme Court-Monitored Investigation
A day earlier, Gandhi called for the formation of an independent, high-powered committee operating under the supervision of the Supreme Court to investigate the alleged police action during the student protest held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on July 20.
According to Gandhi, students deserve an impartial inquiry into the reported incidents of force used during the demonstration. He argued that an independent investigation would help establish accountability and ensure that concerns raised by students receive fair consideration.
Video Shared Alongside Allegations
Supporting his demand, Gandhi posted a video on social media that he said showed police action against demonstrators. The footage appeared to capture security personnel using batons to disperse protesters. It also seemingly showed a man dressed in civilian clothing pushing a student carrying the Indian national flag to the ground during the confrontation.
The authenticity of the video and the claims surrounding the incident have become part of the ongoing political debate, with opposition leaders seeking further clarification from the authorities.
Opposition Parties Stage Protest in Parliament
The controversy also echoed inside Parliament, where Members of Parliament belonging to several INDIA bloc parties gathered near Makar Dwar on Thursday morning to protest the alleged police action against students.
Carrying placards, the lawmakers questioned who had authorised the reported use of force during the July 20 demonstration at Jantar Mantar. They demanded greater transparency and accountability from the central government over the handling of the protest.
Additional Allegations Raised During Demonstration
Alongside concerns about the student protest, opposition MPs also raised allegations related to the reported misuse of donations linked to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. They urged the government to respond to the claims and called for accountability regarding the handling of public contributions.
The twin issues became the focus of the Parliament protest as opposition leaders sought to draw attention to both the alleged police action and the financial allegations.
Debate Takes Place Ahead of Key Legislation
The parliamentary demonstration took place shortly before the Rajya Sabha was scheduled to consider and pass the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. The timing of the protest highlighted the heightened political atmosphere as Parliament prepared to debate important legislation while opposition parties continued pressing the government over issues concerning student rights and public accountability.