Video: Rahul Gandhi speaks to student protester injured in AK-47 firing in Bihar
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday spoke over the phone with Akash Yadav, one of the three students who was injured after police
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday spoke over the phone with Akash Yadav, one of the three students who was injured after police allegedly opened fire with an AK-47 during protests against alleged exam irregularities in Bihar. NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar met Akash Yadav, who is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Patna, and facilitated a phone conversation with Gandhi. Read Full Story The Rae Bareli MP enquired about Yadav's condition and assured him that he would stand firmly with students in their fight for justice and their rights "from the streets to Parliament". "Don't worry. Be fearless. The NSUI is helping you. If you face any problems, please let me know," the Leader of the Opposition is heard telling the injured protester in a video shared by the Congress on X.
The principal Opposition party also said that the "Modi government cannot silence the voice of students through repression" and asserted that the fight for students' rights would continue. BIHAR AK-47 FIRING ROW Gandhi's conversation with the student comes amid a nationwide political row over a video purportedly showing a Bihar Police constable firing an AK-47 during the July 25 'Bihar Bandh' called by opposition parties over alleged NEET paper leak. The constable, identified as Abhishek Patel, has since been suspended. Sources told India Today that at least four to five rounds were fired during the incident, although the video accessed by the channel captured only one shot being fired.
In the video, Patel, wearing a blue helmet and a bulletproof vest, is seen charging towards the protesters with an AK-47. At least one shot can be heard and seen before he gestures to his colleagues to advance. Another policeman is then seen approaching, bending down to pick up an object from the ground and throwing it towards the protesters. AK-47 ROW REACHES PARLIAMENT The controversy has now reached Parliament, with Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged use of AK-47 rifles against student protesters. Accusing the government of treating students like terrorists, Priyanka Gandhi demanded to know who had authorised the police action.
"What was the need to fire tear gas shells, lathi-charge students, use water cannons, pellet guns and AK-47s against them? Were they terrorists?" she asked. As the political storm intensifies, attention is now focused on the ongoing inquiry, which is expected to determine whether the use of the assault rifle complied with police protocols and whether it warrants disciplinary or legal action against those involved. Ends
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