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Escalating the row over the crackdown on student protesters, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding accountability for the "barbaric assault" and asking whether he had approved the use of "lethal force", including pellet guns, against the youth.

In his letter to Shah, Rahul said peaceful protest is crucial to any democracy and it is the government's responsibility to protect protesters and resolve their grievances through dialogue.

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"Such brutal violence destroys every norm, and has outraged the country. Youth and students, the future of our country, are demanding answers and accountability. Their voice will be heard," the former Congress chief said.

Questions crackdown on students

"I write to demand accountability for the barbaric assault on students who were peacefully protesting in Delhi on July 20, 2026. Our students were demanding a fair and accountable education system. Instead of being heard, security forces assaulted them with indiscriminate force, including lethal weapons and tear gas," Rahul said in his letter dated July 25.

"Hundreds have suffered serious injuries and women students have been assaulted by policemen, including by deliberately targeting their private parts," he said.

Rahul said most shocking has been the use of lethal pellet guns. "Reports in the media and social media clearly show people who have suffered grave injuries including a journalist. I met 19-year old student Sahil Lochab, who is now in severe pain and is likely to lose an eye because he was shot with pellet guns," he said.

"Security forces deployed in Delhi answer ultimately to you, so I ask: As Home Minister, did you approve the use of lethal force, including pellet guns against students? If not, who did?" Rahul said. Are the people in plain clothes seen beating students with lathis police personnel or volunteers, he asked.

'Just the beginning', says Dipke

Calling the campaign just the beginning, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday (July 26) said the party had "a long way to go" and vowed to continue its political journey.

In his first video message after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, Dipke thanked supporters across the country for standing by the movement throughout its 37-day protest.

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He also expressed gratitude to those who had criticised the party, saying their feedback had helped it improve. "I want to thank everyone who criticised us and asked legitimate questions. If you hadn't criticised us, we probably wouldn't have improved. It is because of your criticism that we were able to deliver on our promise," he said.

The CJP on Saturday called off its 37-day agitation after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister and the Centre accepted its other key demands. The protest, centred on alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, had culminated in a prolonged sit-in at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and drew support from students and Opposition leaders from across the country.

(With agency inputs)

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