Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, questioning his absence from the Lok Sabha and alleging that it "reeks of guilt" over the police action against students during the July 20 protest in New Delhi. His remarks triggered an uproar in the House, leading to protests by ruling party MPs and further disruptions in Parliament.
Speaking during a discussion in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Home Minister had failed to answer questions over the alleged use of force against student protesters. Referring to Shah's absence from the House, Gandhi said it showed that the government was avoiding accountability. He also accused the Centre of suppressing peaceful protests and demanded that those responsible for the alleged police excesses be held accountable.
Rahul Gandhi further claimed that the alleged use of pellet guns and force against students was unacceptable in a democracy. He reiterated his demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remove Amit Shah from the Union Cabinet, holding him politically responsible for the police action. Later, at a press conference, Gandhi stood by his remarks and rejected the BJP's demand for an apology.
The BJP strongly objected to Gandhi's statements, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and other ruling party members accusing him of making baseless allegations. The government maintained that no bullets were fired during the July 20 protest and asserted that only tear gas was used to disperse demonstrators after the situation turned tense. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also questioned the basis of Gandhi's allegations, saying there was no evidence to support claims that the Home Minister had authorised any firing.
The exchange led to noisy scenes in the Lok Sabha, with treasury bench members demanding that Rahul Gandhi withdraw his remarks. The Speaker intervened several times as both sides continued shouting slogans, forcing repeated interruptions in the proceedings. Parts of Gandhi's speech were reportedly disallowed by the Chair, adding to the confrontation between the Opposition and the government.
The controversy is linked to the July 20 student protests over alleged irregularities in public examinations. The Opposition has continued to press for a detailed discussion on the police response, while the Centre insists that law enforcement acted within legal limits and denies allegations of firing on protesters. With neither side backing down, the issue has become one of the biggest flashpoints of the ongoing Monsoon Session.
