The Congress on Thursday intensified its offensive against the Centre over the alleged police action on students protesting examination-related issues, with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanding a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of promoting hatred and violence, while Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal questioned union Home Minister Amit Shah’s absence from Parliament and sought accountability for the alleged use of force against students.
In a post on social media platform X, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi called for an independent investigation into the alleged excesses against students.
“Students deserve justice. An independent SC monitored high powered committee must be constituted to probe brutalities against our students,” Gandhi said.
His demand came as the Opposition continued to press the government over the alleged crackdown on students who were protesting over the NEET paper leak and other examination-related issues.
Addressing reporters in the Parliament complex, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a sharp attack on the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), asserting that the country’s youth had understood their “true character.”
“BJP-RSS can do whatever they want, but the youth of this country know the truth about them.
Even those who were unaware of the BJP-RSS’s intentions now understand them,” she said.
Referring to India’s freedom movement, Priyanka Gandhi said, “India’s struggle for Independence was based on truth and non-violence, and the RSS had no contribution to it.”
She further alleged that despite attempts by the BJP and the RSS to spread “hatred, violence and division”, they could not erase the spirit of brotherhood and unity from the country’s soul.
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal also stepped up the attack on the government, accusing union Home Minister Amit Shah of avoiding Parliament and refusing to answer questions over the alleged police action.
In a post on X, Venugopal asked, “How long will HM Amit Shah hide and not answer the people of India? Why is he MIA from Parliament”
Referring to the Opposition’s protest in the Parliament House complex, he said, “We opposition MPs are protesting outside Makar Dwar, demanding a clear answer for who ordered the use of pellet guns against students, and for heckling LOP Sh. Rahul Gandhi and preventing him from speaking in the Lok Sabha yesterday.”
Speaking separately to reporters in the Parliament complex, Venugopal reiterated the Opposition’s demand for an explanation from the union Home Minister.
“Who ordered the police action in Delhi? Who ordered the firing at the students in Delhi? We want an answer from the Home Minister of India. Why is he running away from Parliament?” he asked.
Alleging that the government was attempting to silence the Opposition, Venugopal said, “They are not even allowing the Leader of the Opposition to speak in Parliament.”
The Congress’s coordinated attack came as opposition MPs continued demonstrations in and around the Parliament House complex, demanding accountability from the government over the alleged use of force against students and insisting that the Home Minister make a statement in Parliament. The Opposition has also alleged that Rahul Gandhi was prevented from speaking in the Lok Sabha during proceedings on Wednesday, further escalating the confrontation between the Treasury and Opposition benches.
The government has maintained that law enforcement agencies acted according to the situation, while parliamentary proceedings have witnessed repeated disruptions as Opposition parties continue to demand a discussion on the alleged police action against students and seek answers from the Centre over the incident.
