CJP’s Saurav Das has publicly endorsed Rahul Gandhi’s allegations that Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered the use of force during the July 20 student protest crackdown, calling for accountability. Speaking on social media platform X, Das cited Gandhi’s claims that the home minister “put the pellets into the blood of our students” and “ordered the students of India to be shot.” This followed Gandhi’s remarks in the Lok Sabha during the anti-paper leak debate, where he accused Amit Shah of authorizing the use of pellet guns and other tactics against protesters. According to reports, Gandhi claimed that either Amit Shah gave the firing order or was unaware of the police action, labeling the latter as “incompetence.” Das emphasized that the home minister must answer for the alleged brutality, noting that a student lost his vision due to the “order” given by the minister. The controversy erupted after Rahul Gandhi accused Amit Shah of orchestrating the use of force during the July 20 protest, which was part of a larger movement demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest, known as the “Sansad Chalo” march, ended in clashes between protesters and security forces, with allegations of excessive force, including the use of pellet guns. A dairy entry from the Parliament Street police station, dated July 22, confirmed that at least two rounds of pellets were used on the orders of a deputy superintendent of police. This document, shared with Hindustan Times, marked the first official acknowledgment of pellet gun deployment during the protest. Despite this, Union Minister Jitendra Singh dismissed Gandhi’s claims, asserting that orders for police firing are issued by magistrates, not ministers. The backlash against Gandhi’s remarks was swift. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju challenged the opposition leader, demanding evidence to support his accusations. Rijiju argued that such allegations in the Lok Sabha require prior notice and proof, warning that Gandhi’s remarks constituted a breach of Amit Shah’s privileges. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reiterated the House’s rules, emphasizing that unsubstantiated claims are not permissible in parliamentary debates. Rijiju also criticized Gandhi for failing to engage meaningfully with the paper leak bill, accusing him of making “unparliamentary” remarks. Meanwhile, the BJP continued to accuse Gandhi of spreading misinformation, with some lawmakers calling for disciplinary action against him. Amid the political tensions, the families of Delhi Police personnel injured during the protest held a press conference, appealing for justice. They claimed that several officers were still receiving medical treatment and that their suffering had been overlooked amidst allegations of police brutality. One family member, the daughter of an injured Delhi Police sub-inspector, alleged that her father was “pulled by a rowdy mob and was almost lynched near the stage at Jantar Mantar.” She described the incident as leaving her father unconscious for nearly four hours. Other relatives accused the authorities of targeting innocent students instead of “habitual offenders,” suggesting a broader strategy to deter dissent. These claims were echoed by Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who accused the BJP of sending “goons” to disrupt the protest and harm police personnel. Rahul Gandhi, in response to the press conference, reiterated his call for an independent Supreme Court-monitored inquiry into the police action. On X, he shared a video allegedly showing clashes between protesters and police, including instances of lathi-charges and the forced removal of a student carrying the Indian flag. He also condemned the government for allegedly intimidating youth and threatening their right to protest. The Congress leader urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take action against Amit Shah, arguing that the minister’s presence in the House was “scarcely visible” despite his alleged involvement in the crackdown. This rhetoric intensified the political feud, with BJP MPs moving a privilege notice against Gandhi over his remarks, while Congress allies threatened similar measures against Jitendra Singh for allegedly misleading the House. The situation continues to evolve, with calls for transparency and accountability growing louder. As the CJP’s 37-day-long protest at Jantar Mantar draws to a close, the focus remains on the alleged misuse of force and the need for impartial investigations. With multiple parties vying for narrative control, the outcome of these developments could shape the trajectory of political discourse in the coming weeks. For now, the spotlight remains on the unresolved questions surrounding the July 20 protest and the responsibilities of those in power.
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