‘Who Ordered Barbaric Assault?’ Rahul Gandhi Demands Accountability From Amit Shah Over July 20 Protest Crackdown

By Samira Vishwas On Jul 26, 2026

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding accountability over the police action against students during the July 20 ‘Chalo Sansad’ protest in the national capital.

In his letter, Gandhi described the crackdown as a “barbaric assault” on students and peaceful demonstrators, alleging that excessive force was used to disperse the march.

Also Read: Victory For Students: Rahul Gandhi Congratulates Students On Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation

Questions Over Use of Force

Rahul Gandhi alleged that protesters were subjected to lathi-charge, tear gas and pellet guns, resulting in injuries to several students. He also raised concerns over reports of alleged misconduct against women protesters during the police action.

Who gave the order to kill the students? pic.twitter.com/NDwfka1UqO
—Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 26, 2026

Calling the reported use of pellet guns “most shocking”, Gandhi referred to injured protesters, including a student and a journalist, and urged the government to clarify who authorized such measures.

Two Questions to the Home Minister

In his letter, the Congress leader asked Amit Shah whether the use of pellet guns against students had been approved by the Home Ministry. He also sought an explanation regarding individuals seen in plain clothes allegedly beating protesters, asking whether they were police personnel or volunteers and under whose authority they were deployed.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Shows Student With Pellet Injury, Calls Dharmendra Pradhan ‘Criminal Education Minister’ Amid NEET Protest

Crackdown During ‘Chalo Sansad’ March

The July 20 protest, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), coincided with the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. As demonstrators marched towards Parliament, security personnel stopped the procession and used crowd-control measures.

Security agencies have maintained that force was used after protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting. However, Gandhi, in his letter, said the incident had raised serious concerns about the handling of peaceful demonstrations and called for accountability.

The letter adds a fresh political dimension to the debate over the July 20 crackdown, with the opposition demanding answers from the Center over the actions taken during the protest.