Opposition to corner government in Parliament on ‘police brutality’ against students, insist on PM apology
The Congress-led opposition is set to keep the pressure on the government in Parliament over the alleged police brutality against protesting students, demanding action against
The Congress-led opposition is set to keep the pressure on the government in Parliament over the alleged police brutality against protesting students, demanding action against those responsible for the assault and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources said on Sunday (July 26, 2026). However, the opposition's floor strategy and its stand on the bill to amend the two-year-old anti-paper leak law will be finalised at the INDIA bloc meeting in Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya SabhaMallikarjun Kharge's chamber in Parliament on Monday (July 27) morning, they said. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok SabhaRahul Gandhi has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking accountability for the "barbaric assault" on peacefully protesting students and asking whether he approved the use of "lethal force", including pellet guns. In his letter, Mr. Gandhi said peaceful protest is crucial to any democracy, and 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," the former Congress chief said. Sharing the letter, Congress general secretary, in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh said Mr. Gandhi had posed two questions to Mr. Shah: "As the Home Minister, did you authorise the use of lethal force, including pellet guns, against students?
If not, who granted this authorisation? Are the individuals seen raining blows on students while dressed in plain clothes, police personnel or volunteers? Who authorised their deployment?" The Home Minister must answer these crucial questions in Parliament tomorrow. The Prime Minister should apologise to the students," Mr. Ramesh said in his post in Hindi. The Congress has described Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as a victory for students but asserted that the Prime Minister must also apologise to the students. Kharge has said it was now Mr. Modi's turn to apologise and take strict action against all those who used lathis, batons and pellet guns against the agitating students. After Mr. Pradhan's resignation, Mr. Gandhi had also urged the Prime Minister to apologise to the students out of respect for the future of the country and for the "atrocities" committed on them during the agitation. Gandhi said Mr. Pradhan's resignation was a huge step towards rebuilding the education system, asserting that it was a "symbolic step because he was a symbol, but it is still a big step". "This is not the end. We still await the prime minister's apology to our students," Mr. Ramesh said, reiterating the demand for accountability for those responsible for the alleged excesses. A fiery debate on the paper leak issue is on the cards if the government and opposition break the ongoing deadlock in both Houses of Parliament.
The BriefWire