‘Were They Terrorists?’: Priyanka Gandhi Targets Centre Over Pellet Gun Use On Protesting Students

Published 28 July 2026 · politics

‘Were They Terrorists?’: Priyanka Gandhi Targets Centre Over Pellet Gun Use On Protesting Students Published By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026, 17:26 IST Demanding accountability

‘Were They Terrorists?’: Priyanka Gandhi Targets Centre Over Pellet Gun Use On Protesting Students Published By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026, 17:26 IST Demanding accountability, Priyanka Gandhi said Home Minister Amit Shah must clarify who authorised the use of pellet guns against student protesters. Priyanka Gandhi questioned the government's handling of the student protests and accused it of suppressing the voices of young people. (Photo: YouTube/Sansad TV) Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the alleged use of force against students during recent protests, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah explain who authorised the deployment of pellet guns. Participating in the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha, the Wayanad MP questioned the government’s handling of the student protests and accused it of suppressing the voices of young people.

“Why are you scared of the youth of this country? Who gave you the right to suppress students?" Priyanka Gandhi asked, demanding answers from the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. Raising concerns over the alleged police action during the demonstrations, she questioned the use of tear gas, lathi-charge, water cannons and pellet guns against protesters. “What was the need to use tear gas on those students, to lathi-charge them, and to use water cannons against them? What was the need to humiliate those young women, tear their clothes, and treat them in such a brutal and inhuman manner?" she said. The Congress leader also questioned reports of pellet guns and AK-47 rifles being used during the protests. “What was the need to use pellet guns and AK-47s against the youth of this country?

Were they terrorists?" she asked. Demanding accountability, Priyanka Gandhi said Home Minister Amit Shah must clarify who authorised the use of pellet guns against student protesters. “The Congress is asking; we want answers. Who will answer? Will the Home Minister answer? Who gave the order? Who gave the order to use pellet guns? Through you, Honourable Speaker, I ask: who gave that order? Did the Prime Minister give it? Did the Home Minister give it?" she said. Her remarks came amid continuing political confrontation between the Opposition and the government over the handling of student protests linked to the paper leak controversy. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Saurabh Verma Chief Sub-Editor Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news.