Shah responsible for violence against students: Rahul

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday met students from different states who were allegedly assaulted during the July 20 protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and renewed his attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, holding him responsible for the police action.Addressing a joint press conference with the students at Sonia Gandhi’s 10, Janpath residence, Rahul alleged that they were peacefully protesting against the education system when the police used force against them. He claimed the students narrated how they were beaten, humiliated and fired upon with pellet guns during the protest.

He argued that if Shah was unaware of the police action, it reflected a failure in discharging his responsibilities, and if he had authorised it, he was directly responsible. "Either way, he is responsible," Rahul said.

The Congress leader alleged that students were now being harassed and intimidated, with attempts being made to force them to apologise. He said there was no question of the students apologising, maintaining that they had stood up to defend the Constitution and democracy.

Rahul said the students were only raising concerns over what he described as a broken education system and were assaulted for demanding reforms. He praised them for speaking publicly despite the alleged harassment and described their actions as an example of courage.

Gandhi also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah lacked the courage to face the media on the issue. Reiterating his charge against Shah, he said the Home Minister was accountable for the police action during the July 20 protest.

Several students, including Riya Ahir, Nutan Topo, Farha Naz, Bharat and Muskan Sharma, also addressed the media and alleged that they were subjected to police excesses during the protest.

Riya Ahir, who belongs from Mumbai and went viral on social media for stopping a police van, claimed she was facing harassment after preventing the detention of children during a protest in Mumbai and expressed solidarity with the students who attended the briefing.