Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 27 (ANI): Reacting to Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of Delhi Police action against student protesters, Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh said the TMC has repeatedly opposed the action taken against students and farmers, alleging that police under Union Home Minister Amit Shah tries to suppress people whenever they raise demands for justice.
Speaking to the media, Ghosh said, “We, Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress, have repeatedly stated that we oppose the way in which the Delhi Police has taken action against students. This is happening repeatedly…”
“Whenever the demand for ‘we want justice’ arises, Amit Shah’s police tries to suppress the people. When the situation gets out of hand, the Prime Minister delivers a message at midnight. Actions are being taken against students, actions are being taken against farmers. What is this?” Ghosh said.
Earlier on Sunday, continuing his attack on the Centre over police action against student protesters, Rahul Gandhi sharply questioned Amit Shah of alleged excessive force used against the demonstrators in the national capital.
Coming on the heels of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, Gandhi’s remarks centred on police action during the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
In a post on X, Gandhi questioned whether Shah had personally approved the use of “lethal force”, including pellet guns and tear gas, against students demonstrating over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
Gandhi highlighted the case of a 19-year-old student, Sahil Lochab, who allegedly faces the risk of losing an eye after being hit by pellets.
In his post, Gandhi wrote, “Pellet guns, lathis and tear gas were used against students peacefully protesting in Delhi. I met 19-year-old Sahil Lochab. Shot with pellets, he may lose an eye. His ‘crime’? Demanding an end to paper leaks and a fair future for our students. @AmitShah ji, I have two questions: 1. Did you approve the use of lethal force, including pellet guns, against students? If not, who did? 2. Were the men in plain clothes beating students with lathis police personnel or volunteers? Who authorised their deployment? Desh jawab maang raha hai.”
Gandhi has also written a letter to Shah, alleging that security forces assaulted students with “indiscriminate force” and claimed that women demonstrators were targeted and assaulted by police personnel. Describing the action as a “barbaric assault,” Gandhi demanded to know “who gave the order to kill the students.”
This follows weeks of student protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which gained national interest after activist Sonam Wangchuk sat on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. Tensions boiled over during a ‘Sansad Chalo’ march on July 20, where police reportedly deployed tear gas and lathi-charges to disperse crowds advancing toward Parliament.
Following continued protests, Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned as the Union Education Minister, and Pralhad Joshi on Sunday assumed charge as the Union Minister for Education. (ANI)
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