Rahul Gandhi questions Amit Shah’s competence, targets PM Modi over Parliament absence

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday criticised the use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand.

"The use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand is wrong. Students have a right to peaceful protest, and only dialogue can yield solutions. The Jharkhand government must continue to hear these students out and resolve their issues immediately," Gandhi said in a post.

Reacting to the lathi-charge on Jharkhand protesters, Gandhi said peaceful protests should not be met with violence.


Also Read: Use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand wrong: Rahul Gandhi

"My message to the students of Jharkhand is clear: We condemn any violence against peacefully protesting students. Wherever it happens, we condemn it. We are against it, we do not recommend it, and we do not support it. We are very clear. We support peaceful protests, and any attempt to use violence against a peaceful protest is unacceptable," he said.

"Question was never whether Amit Shah should give speech in Parliament, question was who authorised shooting on youth," Gandhi said.

He added, "Question is Amit Shah should come clean; did he order firing on students or not."

"If Amit Shah ordered firing on students, he was guilty; if he didn't, then he is incompetent and in both cases he should go," Gandhi said.

Gandhi also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah for not commenting on the alleged brutality against students.

"Neither PM nor HM have felt need to comment on brutality against students," he said.

Also Read: Jharkhand exam row: Mahto joins thousands in ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’; police lathicharge protesters, use water cannons & tear gas

He further alleged that people close to the Prime Minister had stolen from the Ram Temple and demanded an apology from Modi.

"People very close to PM have stolen from Ram Temple; Modi should apologise to country," Gandhi said.

Gandhi also alleged that Modi and Shah had stayed away from Parliament for 15 days.

"For 15 days, neither PM nor HM had courage to come to Parliament, guts to own up to what they have done," he said.

(With PTI inputs)