Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad has accused the Congress party, led by Rahul Gandhi, of engaging in anarchic politics to divert attention from the Vande Mataram controversy. His remarks came after Rahul Gandhi staged a protest outside the Parliament Street police station in New Delhi, demanding the registration of a first information report (FIR) related to injuries sustained by a youth from pellet guns during protests on July 20.
Prasad criticized Gandhi’s sit-in at the police station, stating, “It is very unfortunate that LoP Rahul Gandhi does politics of anarchy. Currently, he is sitting on dharna at Parliament Street Police Station without permission or prior information.” He added that judicial authorities had established a high-powered committee to investigate the incident independently. “The police have informed him that an FIR has already been registered on the incident he is quoting, and it is being probed. The Supreme Court has formed a high-powered committee to probe into this. Rahul Gandhi, don’t you want to respect any law? We suspect and allege that Congress is now stuck due to its stance on the national song Vande Mataram. We condemn what the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress is doing right now.”
The protest involved Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who was accompanied by Sahil Lochab, the alleged victim of pellet gun injuries on July 20. Gandhi claimed on social media that Home Minister Amit Shah was “scared of justice” and criticized the government’s response to the incident. Gandhi stated, “On July 20, the police attacked Sahil, who was peacefully protesting at Jantar Mantar, with a pellet gun. Severely injured by the pellets, Sahil’s vision in one eye is now at risk. Such brutality against a peaceful protest is not just illegal–it’s a serious crime. Neither has Home Minister Amit Shah offered any explanation to the students for this cruelty, nor has the Prime Minister apologized to them. Now, when Sahil wants to file an FIR, the Constitution and constitutional rights are being trampled upon. This fear will be filed against everyone – who is guilty of this brutality.”
Several Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, Salman Khurshid, Kumari Selja, and Devendra Yadav, were present outside the police station, with party cadres raising slogans. Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid said, “Rahul Gandhi is sitting on a protest till he gets the FIR registered. We have come here in his support. We are very hopeful that he will be successful…”
According to Gandhi, Lochab had submitted a written complaint to Delhi Police on August 14 with his lawyers but was not provided with an investigation officer (I/O) number or acknowledgement. Despite follow-ups via email and phone on August 17, no I/O number was given. Gandhi accompanied Lochab to the Delhi Police Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) office to demand the FIR registration but alleged the DCP did not provide details of the case officer or I/O number.
Rahul Gandhi previously visited Mandir Marg Police Station requesting the registration of the case but was allegedly refused. He then met officials at the DCP Central office before proceeding to the Parliament Street Police Station, where further meetings with police officials took place.
Sources stated that the complainant’s case meets the criteria of a cognizable offence, warranting FIR registration. Gandhi has pressed for action and justice for Lochab.
On July 29, Gandhi held a news conference accusing Home Minister Amit Shah of responsibility for “brutality” against students protesting following the NEET paper leak and related controversies, alleging pellet gun use against the demonstrators.