'Did you approve lethal force?' Rahul Gandhi writes to HM Amit Shah demanding accountability

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding accountability for what he described as the 'barbaric assault' on students during the July 20 protest in the national capital.

In a strongly worded letter dated July 25, Gandhi questioned whether Shah had personally approved the use of what he called 'lethal force', including pellet guns, against demonstrators.

The Congress leader alleged that students, who were protesting for a 'fair and accountable education system', were met with indiscriminate force instead of dialogue.

He claimed hundreds sustained serious injuries, while women protesters were allegedly assaulted by police personnel, including instances where their private parts were deliberately targeted.

Calling the reported use of pellet guns the most disturbing aspect of the crackdown, Gandhi referred to media and social media reports showing grievous injuries.

He also cited his meeting with 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab, who, according to him, is in severe pain and may lose an eye after allegedly being hit by pellets.

Addressing Shah directly, Gandhi asked whether the Home Minister had authorised the use of pellet guns against students. If not, he questioned who approved.

He also sought clarity on the identity of individuals seen in plain clothes allegedly beating protesters with lathis, asking whether they were police personnel or volunteers and who authorised their deployment.

Reiterating that peaceful protest is fundamental to a democracy, Gandhi said governments are duty-bound to protect demonstrators and engage with them through dialogue rather than force.

He said the alleged violence had outraged the country and insisted that young people demanding accountability would continue to make their voices heard.

The protests were led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), a platform launched by former AAP functionary Abhijeet Dipke as a satirical online campaign in May before evolving into a nationwide youth movement focused on accountability over the NEET paper leak.

While demonstrations began at Jantar Mantar on June 20, the movement gained nationwide attention after activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest on June 28 and began an indefinite fast alongside six AISA activists. Wangchuk ended his fast on Thursday night after the Centre initiated talks.

The Centre's first formal engagement with the CJP leadership took place on July 20 at BJP president JP Nadda's residence, even as police action against protesters marching towards Parliament triggered fresh political controversy and significantly widened support for the agitation.