Rahul Gandhi Targets Amit Shah Over Student Protests, Demands His Resignation

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the Opposition was not interested in listening to a “lecture” from Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament, insisting that the government must instead answer questions over police action against protesting students. Gandhi’s remarks came after Shah said the government was prepared to discuss all issues in Parliament, including the student protests that have become a major point of confrontation between the government and the Opposition during the Monsoon Session.

Gandhi said the younger generation was seeking answers over the alleged use of force against protesting students and questioned who authorised the firing of pellet guns. He argued that Shah, as the Union home minister, should take responsibility for the actions of the authorities if they were carried out under his direction. Gandhi reiterated his earlier claim that if Shah ordered the firing, he was culpable, while if he did not, the minister was incompetent. On that basis, Gandhi said Shah should resign from his post.

The Congress leader also stepped up his personal criticism of Shah, claiming that the home minister’s political image had been damaged. Gandhi used the analogy of a balloon, saying there had been a last-ditch attempt to fill it with gas but that “the balloon has burst”. He further alleged that Shah lacked the courage to appear before the House. Gandhi’s remarks reflected the increasingly confrontational nature of the political dispute, with the Opposition demanding direct answers from the government rather than accepting general assurances about parliamentary discussions.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Attacks PM Modi After US Court Dismisses Adani Case

Shah had earlier said the government was ready to discuss all issues raised by the Opposition, including the protests involving students. According to the proposal outlined by the home minister, a discussion could begin at 3 pm on Wednesday and continue until 3 pm on Thursday, provided the Opposition submitted its demand in writing to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla before 2 pm. The offer came amid continuing disruptions in Parliament and repeated demands from Opposition parties for Shah to address the House on the police action.

The dispute centres on allegations concerning the treatment of students during protests. Opposition parties have questioned the use of force and sought accountability for the decisions taken by authorities during the demonstrations. Gandhi has made the issue a prominent part of his criticism of the government, repeatedly demanding that those responsible explain the circumstances surrounding the police action. The government, meanwhile, has indicated that it is willing to address the matter through parliamentary debate.

The confrontation has contributed to a wider standoff between the government and the INDIA bloc during the Monsoon Session. Opposition parties have maintained that the government must provide specific answers and explanations in the House, while the government has argued that it is ready to debate the issues through established parliamentary procedures. The continuing disagreement over the terms and format of the discussion has kept the issue at the centre of the session’s political proceedings.

Gandhi’s latest comments came as Parliament faced another attempt to break the deadlock. While Shah’s offer indicated the government’s willingness to take up the student protests for discussion, Gandhi maintained that the Opposition wanted accountability rather than what he described as a lecture. With the Opposition demanding answers over the alleged firing of pellet guns and the government offering a parliamentary discussion, the issue remains a major flashpoint between the two sides as the Monsoon Session moves towards its conclusion.

Also Read: Kewal Dhillon Questions Rahul Gandhi’s Absence From Jharkhand Student Protest