Rahul Gandhi demands accountability from Amit Shah over violence on students during CJP's Sansad March

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding accountability over the police action against students protesting in Delhi on July 20, raising questions over the alleged use of pellet guns and the deployment of plain-clothed personnel during the crackdown.

The letter comes amid escalating political protests over the alleged irregularities in the Common Job Preliminary (CJP) examination. Student organisations have been staging demonstrations demanding the cancellation of the examination and a fresh test. The issue intensified after a Sansad March earlier this week, while Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Friday amid mounting political pressure over the controversy.

"Who gave the order to kill the students?" asked Rahul Gandhi in a post on social media platform X.


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In the two-page letter, Gandhi alleged that students protesting peacefully were subjected to excessive force and sought answers from the Home Minister on who authorised the police action.


"I write to demand accountability for the barbaric assault on students who were peacefully protesting in Delhi on July 20, 2026."

He claimed that the students were seeking "a fair and accountable education system" but were instead met with force.

"Our students were demanding a fair and accountable education system. Instead of being heard, security forces assaulted them with indiscriminate force, including lethal weapons and tear gas. Hundreds have suffered serious injuries. Women students have been assaulted by policemen, including by deliberately targeting their private parts."

Gandhi also alleged that pellet guns were used during the police action and referred to the case of an injured student.

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"Most shocking has been the use of lethal pellet guns. Reports in the media and social media clearly show people who have suffered grave injuries, including a journalist. I met 19-year old student Sahil Lochab, who is now in severe pain is likely to lose an eye because he was shot with pellet guns."

In the letter, Gandhi posed two questions to Shah, saying security forces deployed in Delhi ultimately report to the Union home minister.

"As Home Minister, did you approve the use of lethal force including pellet guns against students? If not, who did?"

He also sought an explanation on the identity of individuals seen beating protesters.

"Are the people in plain clothes seen beating students with lathis police personnel or volunteers? Who authorized their deployment?"

Calling peaceful protest a cornerstone of democracy, Gandhi said the government's responsibility was to protect protesters and address their grievances through dialogue rather than force.

"Peaceful protest is crucial to any democracy. It is the government's responsibility to protect protestors and resolve their grievances through dialogue. Such brutal violence destroys every norm, and has outraged the country. Youth and students, the future of our country, are demanding answers and accountability. Their voice will be heard."