Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday stepped up his criticism of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged police action against students during the July 20 protest march to Parliament.
Addressing a press conference, Rahul Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Shah from office and order an independent investigation monitored by the Supreme Court into the alleged crackdown.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF), both functioning under the Union Home Ministry, used excessive force against protesters, including pellet guns and lathis. He claimed the Home Minister was directly responsible for the operation.
According to Rahul Gandhi, there were only two possibilities: either the Home Minister ordered the action or was unaware of it. He argued that in either case, Shah should step down.
Referring to the demonstrations at Jantar Mantar on July 20, Rahul Gandhi alleged that police used force and fired pellet guns at students who were peacefully raising questions before the government. He said he wrote to Amit Shah on July 25 seeking clarification on who authorised the use of pellet guns, but had not received a response.
The Congress leader also accused the government of suppressing dissent.
The LoP in the Lok Sabha claimed the Speaker prevented him from speaking in the House and asked him to apologise for his remarks against the Home Minister. He maintained that he would not apologise and said raising issues concerning students was his responsibility.
Rahul Gandhi further said the Opposition had gathered photographic and video evidence identifying police personnel allegedly involved in the crackdown. He also questioned the role of individuals in plain clothes who were seen during the operation and promised justice for those allegedly assaulted during the protest.
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