Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the July 20 police action against students in Delhi. Gandhi demands accountability for the use of force, including alleged pellet gun use and the presence of plainclothes personnel. The Union Home Ministry has not yet issued a public response to these specific allegations.
Detailed Coverage
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has raised formal concerns with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the police handling of student protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on July 20, 2026. In a letter addressed to the Home Minister, Gandhi described the security response as excessive and demanded clarity on the decision-making process behind the force used during the dispersal of demonstrators.
Allegations Regarding Police Tactics
The central focus of Gandhi’s inquiry involves specific allegations of brutality during the protest. His correspondence highlights reports of security personnel employing non-conventional methods, including the alleged use of pellet guns. Gandhi detailed concerns regarding severe injuries sustained by protesters, specifically citing the case of a 19-year-old student who reportedly faces a risk of vision loss. Furthermore, the letter raises concerns about the use of plainclothes individuals seen wielding lathis, questioning their identity and the official authorization granted to them.
Demand for Official Accountability
Because the Delhi Police fall under the administrative control of the Union Home Ministry, Gandhi has directed two specific questions toward Amit Shah. He first asked whether the Home Ministry explicitly sanctioned the use of lethal weapons, such as pellet guns, against students. If such authorization was not provided at the ministerial level, Gandhi requested the identification of the officials who sanctioned the deployment. Secondly, he sought clarity on the presence and role of unidentified individuals in plain clothes participating in the crackdown.
This exchange adds to the ongoing political discussion concerning the management of public protests and the standard operating procedures of law enforcement in the capital. While the opposition maintains that the force used was disproportionate to the situation, authorities generally hold that interventions are conducted to maintain law and order. As of July 26, 2026, the Union Home Ministry has not provided a formal response or public statement addressing the specific questions raised in the letter. The next steps in this matter will likely depend on whether the Home Ministry chooses to issue a clarification or initiate an inquiry into the incident.