Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has demanded the dismissal of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the use of force and lethal weapons, such as pellet guns, against protesting students during their march towards Parliament on July 20. Mr. Gandhi reiterated his demand for a Supreme Court-monitored independent inquiry into the police action.
Mr. Gandhi stated that there are only two possibilities: either Mr. Shah ordered the use of lethal weapons or he was not aware of it. He is either culpable or incapable and in both cases, he has to go. Addressing a press conference at Indira Bhavan, Mr. Gandhi further remarked that the balloon of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fake image had already burst. Huge money and resources are used to keep that balloon floating, but it has already burst.
Mr. Gandhi accused Mr. Shah of being responsible for the alleged use of pellet guns, shock batons, and lathis with nails against students. The students were shot with pellet guns. One boy who was hit is most likely to lose his eye. I have seen the AIIMS medical certificate. He alleged that both the Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force, which report to the Union Home Ministry, were involved in the crackdown.
Mr. Gandhi said Parliament had been prevented from debating what he described as the most fundamental issue facing the country. Claiming that he was repeatedly denied an opportunity to speak in the Lok Sabha, he alleged that he had been told he would be allowed to speak only if he apologised for his remarks against Mr. Shah. I will never apologise to the BJP, the RSS, or anybody associated with them.
Questioning Mr. Shah’s absence from the House during the debate, Mr. Gandhi said that if the Home Minister was not responsible for the police action, he should have appeared in Parliament and clarified his position. Amit Shah couldn’t come to the Lok Sabha. Why? He is guilty. Otherwise, he would have replied in two minutes. The Opposition leader said he was forced to hold the press conference as he could not complete his speech. Every time I try to speak in Parliament, I am silenced.
Seeking to reassure students injured in the protests, Mr. Gandhi said the Opposition would pursue accountability. We will ensure that every single student gets justice. This is our guarantee, the Opposition’s guarantee, that every student will get justice. Mr. Gandhi also criticised the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, calling it inadequate to tackle paper leaks.
