CJP targets Amit Shah after Rahul Gandhi alleges home minister ordered firing during July 20 protest

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Wednesday intensified its attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the July 20 protest crackdown, citing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations in the Lok Sabha that the home minister ordered the use of force against students.

During the debate on the anti-paper leak bill, Rahul Gandhi claimed Shah “put the pellets into the blood of our students” and alleged that only the home minister or the prime minister could authorise such action. Gandhi also said Shah was absent from the Lok Sabha because he was “scared.”

Echoing the Congress leader’s remarks, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das questioned Shah’s role in the police action, writing on X that the allegations raised “serious concerns” about the home minister’s involvement.

“He must be held accountable. Every life is precious. A student lost his vision for life at the Home Minister’s order! Answer now,” Das said.

Gandhi argued that either Shah had ordered the use of force or was unaware it would happen, adding that ignorance would amount to incompetence.

BJP demands proof, accuses Rahul of making baseless charges

Rahul Gandhi’s remarks triggered loud protests from Treasury benches, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju demanding evidence for the allegations.

“You claimed the home minister ordered firing. Show us the order. How can you make such irresponsible statements?” Rijiju said, urging Gandhi to withdraw his remarks and apologise, calling them a breach of parliamentary privilege.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also reminded members that allegations against individuals cannot be made in Parliament without prior notice and supporting evidence.

Speaking outside Parliament later, Rijiju said the government was upset because Gandhi had not made any substantive contribution to the anti-paper leak legislation and instead made what he described as misleading and unparliamentary allegations against Amit Shah.

He further asserted that ministers do not issue orders for police firing, saying such decisions rest with the magistrate or sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) present at the scene.

Pellet gun controversy fuels political row

The July 20 protest crackdown has remained a major political flashpoint, particularly after CJP ended its month-long agitation following Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

The controversy deepened after reports emerged that a diary entry at Parliament Street police station recorded the use of at least two rounds of pellet ammunition during the protest on the orders of a Delhi Police deputy superintendent. The entry, made on July 22 and reported by Hindustan Times, is the first official record indicating pellet use during the student march.

Centre says no firing took place

Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s allegations during the Lok Sabha debate, Union Minister Jitendra Singh rejected the claims and said no shots were fired during the July 20 protest.

He criticised the Congress leader for making serious allegations without evidence and said such conduct was unbecoming of the Leader of the Opposition.

“When no firing took place, the question of anyone ordering it does not arise. Moreover, the authority to order firing rests with the magistrate, not a minister,” Singh said, adding that security personnel had used only tear gas to disperse protesters.

The statement marked the Centre’s first explicit assertion since the July 20 incident that no firing occurred during the protest.