Rahul Gandhi Questions Centre's Competence Over Handling Of Protesters' Demands

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has criticised the central government over the police action against students protesting at Jantar Mantar on July 20, accusing the government of either authorising the crackdown or failing to know what was happening. In an opinion article published in The Hindu, Gandhi argued that the government must accept responsibility in either case and called for greater accountability over the handling of the demonstration. The protests were organised by young people demanding a fairer examination system and accountability over alleged paper leaks, Gandhi said. He alleged that instead of addressing their concerns, authorities attempted to suppress the protesters' movement.

Gandhi reiterated his claim that police personnel used "nail-studded lathis" and pellet guns against the demonstrators during the July 20 action. Delhi Police has previously rejected the allegations that nail-studded batons or pellet guns were used against protesters. The police position directly contradicts Gandhi's account, leaving the circumstances surrounding the use of force at the centre of the political dispute. The allegations have also prompted demands from Opposition parties for the government to explain what happened during the protest and whether excessive force was used.

Gandhi referred to a meeting he had with a 19-year-old protester who, according to the Congress leader, sustained multiple pellet injuries during the protest march. He cited the alleged injuries as evidence supporting his claim that pellet guns were used against students. Gandhi's account, however, remains disputed by Delhi Police, which has denied using such weapons during the demonstration. In his article, Gandhi framed the issue as one of government responsibility and oversight. He argued that if the police action was authorised, the government must be held accountable for approving it. If senior authorities were unaware of what was taking place, he said, that would indicate a failure of administrative control and competence.

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His argument comes amid a broader political confrontation over the government's handling of student protests linked to examination-related grievances. The July 20 protest has become a major point of contention between the government and Opposition in Parliament. Opposition leaders have sought explanations from the government over the police response, while the government has maintained that it is willing to discuss issues surrounding the students' movement. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said the government is prepared for a detailed discussion but has urged Opposition members not to disrupt proceedings during the government's response.

The dispute has therefore extended beyond the original protest and become part of a larger debate over examination integrity, student grievances and the use of police force during demonstrations. Gandhi's latest comments place direct political responsibility on the central government, while the police denial challenges key elements of his account. Any independent inquiry or further official investigation into the July 20 events could be important in establishing what weapons were used, how the police operation was conducted and whether excessive force was involved. Until such findings are available, the competing claims by Gandhi and Delhi Police remain at the centre of the controversy surrounding the protest action.

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