New Delhi, July 29: The alleged use of force by security personnel during a student protest in the national capital has triggered fresh political controversy, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seeking answers from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the actions of the Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF).
The protests were linked to allegations concerning the leak of question papers for a nationwide medical entrance examination held on May 3. Student groups and opposition parties had raised concerns over the matter and demanded accountability from the government.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) began a protest campaign at Jantar Mantar on June 6, calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Some protesters reportedly observed hunger strikes, while the group later announced a march towards Parliament on July 20.
During the march, clashes and allegations of excessive force emerged, with videos circulating on social media purportedly showing police and security personnel using batons, tear gas and other crowd-control measures against protesters.Some protesters alleged that pellet-firing equipment and electric batons were used, while several people, including a journalist, were reported to have sustained injuries.
The Delhi Police, however, denied allegations that pellet guns were used and described such claims as misleading.Reports also raised questions about individuals seen carrying batons while dressed in plain clothes and without visible identification.
Opposition leaders have sought clarification on whether they were authorised security personnel and under whose instructions they were deployed.In a letter to Shah, Gandhi questioned whether the use of force had been approved by senior authorities and sought details regarding the chain of command during the police operation.
The Congress leader also asked who authorised the deployment of personnel in plain clothes and whether the crowd-control measures followed established procedures.The issue has drawn attention to the administrative structure governing law and order in Delhi.
The Delhi Police functions under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, while the RAF is a specialised unit of the Central Reserve Police Force, which also comes under the ministry.The opposition has argued that responsibility should not be confined to personnel deployed at the protest site and that the role of senior officials and decision-makers should also be examined.
The government has not publicly responded in detail to the latest questions raised by Gandhi. The controversy has added a new political dimension to the protests, shifting the focus from the examination-related allegations to concerns over police accountability, the use of force and the right to peaceful protest.
Further clarity is expected following official responses or any inquiry into the events surrounding the July 20 demonstration.
