Rahul Gandhi triggered a sharp confrontation in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after accusing Union home minister Amit Shah of ordering the use of force against students during protests over alleged exam paper leaks.

Gandhi made the remarks during debate on the new anti-paper leak bill, and his charge immediately set off protests from Treasury benches, with BJP and NDA MPs seeking proof for the allegation and objecting to the language used in the House.

Also Read | Supreme Court sees prima facie case for independent probe into CJP protest violence

Gandhi’s allegation and the protest backdrop

Gandhi said Shah had ordered “the shooting of our students” and alleged that pellets had been used against protesters.

He also argued that the use of force “can only be authorized by the Home Minister or the Prime Minister.”

Article Image
ZOOM IMAGE

The row unfolded in the backdrop of protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and the July 20 march towards Parliament, where police action—including pellet guns, lathi charges, and tear gas—had already become a political flashpoint.

BJP’s response and demand for proof

Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju led the counterattack, repeatedly objecting to Gandhi’s remarks and asking on what basis the allegation had been made.

Article Image
ZOOM IMAGE

“How can you say this? This is a breach of the privilege accorded to the Leader of the Opposition. How can he make such serious allegations against the Home Minister? On what basis have you made the charge that the home minister ordered the firing? This is a baseless allegation,” Rijiju objected.

He also pressed Gandhi to apologize or withdraw the remarks, while NDA MPs joined the demand for evidence.

Speaker intervenes as tensions escalate

Speaker Om Birla intervened as the uproar intensified, asking Gandhi to confine his speech to the subject under discussion and directing that the unparliamentary remarks be expunged from the proceedings.

Gandhi later told reporters outside Parliament that the responsibility for the police action ultimately rested with Shah, arguing that either the home minister had issued the order or failed to prevent it.

“There can be two possible scenarios,” he said, adding that if Shah did not know shots were being fired, “it means he is incompetent; otherwise, if he ordered it, he is culpable.”

Also Read | FSSAI suspends Park Plaza Hotel licence over hygiene lapses

FAQs

Q1: Why did Rahul Gandhi accuse Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha?

Rahul Gandhi alleged that Amit Shah authorised the use of force against students protesting over the alleged paper leak issue, a charge the BJP strongly denied.

Q2: How did the BJP respond to Rahul Gandhi’s allegation against Amit Shah?

The BJP demanded proof for the allegation, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju calling the charge baseless and seeking an apology.