‘Andhbhakt’, ‘pellet gun’: Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Amit Shah removed from Lok Sabha record

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha Speaker on Wednesday directed the removal of several remarks made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.

The expunged portions reportedly included Gandhi’s comments targeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and remarks referring to the RSS. The decision followed objections from members of the ruling party during the heated debate.

Among the remarks removed were Gandhi’s claims that Amit Shah was “trembling” inside a convoy of vehicles and his allegation that the Home Minister was responsible for police action against protesting students.

The Speaker’s decision came after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju raised objections over Gandhi’s statements and demanded action.

Rahul Gandhi stands by allegations against Amit Shah

After his remarks were removed from the record, Rahul Gandhi addressed a press conference and reiterated his accusations against the government over the handling of student protests.

Gandhi alleged that police forces involved in controlling the protest reported to the Home Ministry and argued that Amit Shah must take responsibility for the actions of those forces.

“There are two possibilities: he gave the order to shoot with pellet guns, to beat people with lathis with nails and electric shocks. Or he did not know what was happening. If he gave the order, he is culpable and if he didn’t know, he is incompetent. In either case, he has to go,” Gandhi said.

He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remove Shah as Home Minister and called for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the alleged police excesses.

“We have the photographs, we have the videos. Accountability is going to come,” Gandhi said, adding that the Opposition would continue to seek justice for the students.

 

 

‘I will never apologise’: Gandhi defends his right as LoP

Gandhi also criticised the functioning of the Lok Sabha, claiming that he was not allowed to speak while ministers were given opportunities to respond.

“The Leader of Opposition is not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha. Multiple times, I asked the Speaker to bring order to the House so that I could speak,” Gandhi said.

He rejected demands for an apology over his comments.

“I will never apologise to the BJP, RSS or any other person associated with them,” Gandhi said.

The Congress leader argued that raising issues related to student protests was part of his responsibility as Leader of Opposition.

Government rejects allegations

The government rejected Gandhi’s allegations and said there was no evidence that police had opened fire on protesters.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said that only tear gas was used and denied claims of firing on students.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra also criticised Gandhi’s remarks, accusing him of making “factually incorrect” claims and misleading the public.

Patra said decisions regarding crowd control are taken by local authorities based on the situation and not by the Union Home Minister.

He also objected to Gandhi’s use of words such as “idiot” and “Andhbhakt”, calling them inappropriate for parliamentary proceedings.

The controversy highlights a wider political dispute over ministerial responsibility and police accountability.

The Opposition argues that the Home Minister must answer for the actions of forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs, while the government maintains that operational decisions during protests are taken by local authorities according to law and circumstances.

The expunging of Gandhi’s remarks has added another layer to the confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Opposition, with both sides accusing each other of avoiding the core issues surrounding student protests and examination reforms.