Rahul Gandhi blames Amit Shah for police action on students; says RSS runs education

New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday triggered a major row in the Lok Sabha by alleging that Home Minister Amit Shah was to be blamed for the police actions, including firing of pellet guns on the students, prompting the ruling side MPs to protest and demand his apology even as the Speaker disallowed certain charges Gandhi had made against Shah in the context, calling them unsubstantiated. Gandhi also alleged that the RSS was running the education system and claimed that students were resisting that. As the ruling side continued to protest against Gandhi's remarks on Shah, forcing two adjournments, Speaker Om Birla allowed minister of state at PMO Jitender Singh to reply to the debate on the education reforms Bill, prompting Opposition MPs to protest as they alleged that the leader of the Opposition was not allowed to complete his speech.

Referring to Shah's absence in the House when he spoke on the examination reforms Bill, Gandhi said, "The home minister of this country, Amit Shah, doesn't have the courage to come and sit here. He is scared. I have seen him shaking...."

When Gandhi said Shah was responsible for police action, Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju took objection and asked Gandhi to show proof even as BJP MPs raised slogans demanding Gandhi's apology. "He can't make such charges without proof. He should apologise," Rijiju said. The Speaker disallowed the remarks, saying Gandhi made them without providing proof.


Targeting RSS, Gandhi said, "The soul of the system has been captured by the RSS. Pradhan's resignation was only superficial. He never ran the ministry. The RSS runs it." Gandhi also claimed that a student who was part of the agitation told him that three categories were involved in the larger episode -- "students", "andhbhakts" (blind devotees) and a third section, the wording of which was objected to by the ruling side as being unparliamentary. The Speaker ordered it to be removed from the record.