Rahul Gandhi: 'AIIMS certificate proves pellet gun use'; says Paper Leak Bill 'not even a bandage'

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday defended his allegation that pellet guns were used during the recent CJP protest in Delhi, saying an All India Institute of Medical Sciences medical certificate supports the claim despite the Centre's repeated denial. He also launched a fresh attack on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill, arguing that the proposed law fails to address the root causes of recurring examination paper leaks.

Addressing a press conference after his remarks in Parliament drew a sharp response from the government, Gandhi maintained that pellet guns are "lethal weapons" capable of causing permanent injuries.

"Pellet gun is a lethal weapon. At close range, a pellet gun can kill a person. It can blind a person."

Referring to a protester whom he had earlier brought before the media, Gandhi said the victim's medical records contradicted the government's stand that pellet guns were never used during the police action.

"I brought a victim of the pellet gun in front of the media. The AIIMS medical certificate says he was shot with a pellet gun. I gave you proof, and they say I have lied."

Describing the injuries suffered by the protester, Gandhi added: "His entire body is full of wounds."

He accused the Centre of continuing to deny the use of pellet guns despite what he said was documentary medical evidence.

The remarks relate to the police action during the recent CJP protest in Delhi, where the Opposition alleged that security personnel used pellet guns against demonstrators. The Centre has consistently rejected the allegation, maintaining that pellet guns were not deployed during the operation.

Gandhi attacks Anti-Paper Leak Bill

Gandhi also criticised the Anti-Paper Leak Bill, saying it does little to solve the problems faced by students across the country.

"The bill is not worth discussing."

He said repeated examination paper leaks have undermined confidence in the education system and imposed emotional and financial hardship on students.

"What are students saying? The education system does not work. Papers are leaked. We go through extreme pain and discomfort. Education is too expensive."

According to Gandhi, the government's response has been limited to proposing harsher punishment after paper leaks occur instead of ensuring they do not happen in the first place.

"The government's response is that it will increase the punishment. Till now no one has been punished. The bill is saying we are accepting papers will leak and we will punish them. We are fighting so that no papers leak."

Taking a swipe at the legislation, he added, "the bill is not even a bandage."

Gandhi further alleged that the legislation had been introduced to protect the RSS rather than address systemic failures behind repeated examination leaks.

Rijiju hits back

Earlier, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised Gandhi's conduct during the debate on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill, accusing him of failing to make any substantive intervention on the legislation.

"We are extremely upset with Rahul Gandhi for two reasons. Number one, as Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi could not speak even on one point in the Paper Leak Bill," Rijiju told reporters.

He also accused Gandhi of misleading Parliament through his remarks involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah and clarified that ministers do not issue orders for police firing.

"The Home Minister or any other minister do not give an order for firing. These are not in the domain of the ministers. These are the orders to be passed by the magistrate or the SDM who are present at that particular place."

Questioning Gandhi's understanding of the process, Rijiju said, "How can he not know this basic thing?" and added that the Congress leader had "trapped himself very badly."

The minister also expressed disappointment that the Leader of the Opposition had not engaged with the contents of the Anti-Paper Leak Bill during the parliamentary debate.