Rahul Gandhi demands Amit Shah’s resignation over Jantar Mantar crackdown, says ‘culpable or incompetent’

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation, accusing him of being either directly responsible for or unaware of the alleged use of pellet guns and excessive force against students during the July 20 protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

Addressing a press conference, the Congress MP alleged that he was denied the opportunity to speak in the Lok Sabha after raising questions about Shah’s role in the police action.

“The Leader of the Opposition is not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha. I was asked to apologise, but I will never apologise to the BJP, the RSS, or anyone else,” Gandhi said.

Calling the alleged crackdown on students the country’s most important issue, Gandhi claimed that peaceful protesters were beaten with lathis, electric batons and pellet guns, and alleged that one student was likely to lose an eye. He said he had seen medical reports supporting the claims and displayed photographs of the alleged police action.

Gandhi also alleged that students were being tracked through facial recognition technology and intimidated to prevent future protests.

Targeting Shah, Gandhi argued that all police forces operating under the Union Home Ministry ultimately report to the Home Minister.

“There are only two possibilities. Either Amit Shah ordered the use of pellet guns and force, making him culpable, or he did not know it was happening, making him incompetent. In either case, he should go,” Gandhi said.

He claimed to have seen ministers receiving calls from Shah during the protests and displayed a letter he said he sent to the Home Minister on July 25, seeking answers on who authorised the use of force and the deployment of plainclothes personnel. Gandhi alleged he had received no response.

The Congress leader also vowed that the Opposition would pursue accountability for those responsible for the alleged crackdown.

“We have the photographs, videos and evidence. Every student who was beaten will get justice, and those responsible will be punished,” he said.

Gandhi also mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent social media outreach, saying, “Just putting a phone in front of your face doesn’t help you connect with Gen Z. The real issue is what your government has done to students and their future.”