Rahul Shows Pellet Injuries, Demands End to 'Assault on Students'
24 July 2026 4:44 PM IST24 July 2026 4:44 PM IST
Gandhi also demanded that there should be action against those who shot at and baton charged students, as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to students.
In this image received on July 24, 2026, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with a victim of alleged pellet gun firing during a students protest march carried out by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on 20th July, intercts with media, in New Delhi. (Handout via PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday stepped up the Opposition's attack on the Centre by producing a student he claimed was injured by pellets during the July 20 protest in Delhi and demanding the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Addressing a press conference outside Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's residence, Gandhi introduced 19-year-old Sahil, alleging that he suffered a serious injury to his right eye after being hit by pellets while participating in the protest.
Displaying the student's injuries, Gandhi said, "This is the future of our country," and accused the government of responding to students' demands with baton charges and pellet injuries.
Calling Pradhan a "criminal education minister", he alleged that repeated examination paper leaks had ruined students' futures and demanded the minister's immediate dismissal.
"Stop assaulting and threatening our students," Gandhi said, while also demanding action against those responsible for the alleged police action and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a post on social media, he reiterated: " Modi, our students are demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Don't insult their intelligence with this pathetic midnight video. 1. Sack Pradhan. 2. Punish those who beat students. 3. Apologise."
Gandhi said Sahil had undergone treatment at multiple hospitals and was at risk of losing vision in one eye.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also sought Pradhan's removal and said the Prime Minister should address the issue in Parliament instead of outside the House.
"When Parliament is in session, the Prime Minister is required to make a statement on the floor of the House. He should not be delivering a one-sided 'Mann Ki Baat' outside Parliament," Kharge said.
The Congress announced candlelight marches and protests across the country, demanding Pradhan's resignation and action over the alleged police assault on students.
The allegations have also renewed questions over the reported use of pellet guns during the July 20 protest. Delhi Police has denied using pellet guns, while the Central Reserve Police Force has not commented.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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