The political row over the July 20 student protest crackdown intensified on Wednesday after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) endorsed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was responsible for authorising the use of force during the demonstrations. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly rejected the charge, demanding proof and accusing the Leader of the Opposition of making baseless allegations in Parliament.
During the Lok Sabha debate on the anti-paper leak bill, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Amit Shah had ordered force against protesting students, claiming that pellets were fired during the police action. Gandhi further argued that only the Prime Minister or the Union Home Minister could authorise such action, adding that if the Home Minister had not issued the order, it would indicate a serious lapse in oversight.
Reacting to the remarks, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das posted on X that the allegations raised serious questions about the Home Minister’s role in the July 20 crackdown. Das claimed that every life was valuable and called for accountability, alleging that a student lost vision following the police action. He urged the Home Minister to respond to the allegations.
BJP rejects allegations, seeks proof
The BJP immediately objected to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in the Lok Sabha. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asked the Congress leader to provide evidence supporting his claims, saying such serious allegations could not be made without proof.
Rijiju questioned the basis of Gandhi’s statement and challenged him to produce any official order allegedly issued by the Home Minister. He also demanded that the Congress leader withdraw the remarks and apologise, describing them as irresponsible and a breach of parliamentary privilege.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reminded members that allegations against individuals cannot be made in the House without prior notice and supporting evidence.
Later, speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Rijiju criticised Rahul Gandhi for focusing on allegations instead of participating substantively in the debate on the anti-paper leak legislation. He also clarified that decisions regarding police firing are made by the magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) present at the site, not by Union ministers.
Debate over use of pellets
The controversy stems from the July 20 student protest, during which allegations emerged that security personnel used pellet rounds while dispersing demonstrators.
A diary entry from Parliament Street Police Station, reportedly recorded on July 22, noted that two rounds of pellets were used during the operation on the orders of a Delhi Police deputy superintendent. The document has fuelled political debate over the nature of force used during the protest.
Centre says no firing took place
Responding during the Lok Sabha debate, Union Minister Jitendra Singh rejected Rahul Gandhi’s allegations, stating that no firing had taken place during the protest.
He said only tear gas was used by security personnel and maintained that, since no firing occurred, the question of any minister issuing such an order did not arise. Singh also reiterated that any decision to open fire during law-and-order situations rests with the magistrate on duty rather than political leaders.
The exchange has further escalated the political confrontation over the handling of the July 20 protests, with both the government and the Opposition maintaining sharply contrasting positions on the events.
