NEW DELHI — In a stinging attack on the Central government, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday demanded the immediate resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged police atrocities against student protesters. Writing in an op-ed published in The Hindu, the senior Congress leader claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image has been "destroyed" beyond repair, warning that neither the Prime Minister nor the Home Minister can evade accountability from India's youth.
The controversy stems from the nationwide student demonstrations held on July 20, 2026, where thousands of young men and women gathered to demand a fair education system and strict accountability over recurring examination paper leaks. According to Gandhi, the peaceful assembly protected under Article 19 of the Constitution was met with "unconstitutional and illegal violence" by security personnel.
"On July 20, 2026, India's young people came together to demand a fair education system and accountability for paper leaks. These young women and men came from every caste, class, region, and religion," Gandhi wrote, emphasizing that the protesters were met with tear gas shells, nail-studded batons, and pellet guns barely 500 meters from Parliament.
Highlighting specific instances of alleged brutality, Gandhi referenced 19-year-old protester Sahil Lochab, whom he met recently. Lochab suffered multiple pellet wounds that threatened his eyesight. Gandhi further alleged that female protesters were brutally assaulted on private parts by baton-wielding officers, minors sustained broken bones, and student demonstrators in Bihar's Siwan were shot at with firearms, including AK-47s.
Holding Home Minister Amit Shah directly accountable, Gandhi pointed out that both the Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) report directly to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
"There are only two possibilities. First, he [Amit Shah] authorized the attack on the students — in which case he is culpable. Second, he had no idea that it was taking place — which means that he is entirely incompetent," Gandhi stated, maintaining that under either scenario, Shah must step down.
Addressing Prime Minister Modi's response, the Congress leader accused the administration of unleashing PR campaigns and "Godi media" to shield the Prime Minister's standing while using police detentions and online trolling to silence young dissenters. Gandhi dismissed a recent video where PM Modi purported to "forgive" the youth, calling it absurd to forgive citizens exercising their constitutional right to demand answers.
"Since Prime Minister Modi is clearly so out of touch, let me warn him — young people across the country have awakened. His image is destroyed and can never be rebuilt," Gandhi wrote. "The youth of India will not allow him, Home Minister Shah, or any official to escape the consequences of their actions."
The political rift has paralyzed legislative proceedings in the ongoing Parliament Monsoon Session. Both Houses remain deadlocked as the Opposition continues to demand a formal statement and discussion from Shah regarding the police action.
Senior Congress leaders rallied behind Gandhi's statement. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the nation "has had enough of this Union Home Minister who is full of bluff, bombast, and bluster," reiterating the demand for his resignation. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also shared the op-ed, affirming that the party stands firmly alongside the nation's youth.
