The Congress leader also stated that the use of pellet guns was “most shocking”.
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday, wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking answers to the police crackdown on student protesters on July 20. In a letter to Shah, the Congress MP asked for accountability and clarity regarding the orders issued to disperse protesters part of the Chalo Sansad march using lathi, tear gas and pellet guns.
Gandhi described the crackdown as a “barbaric attack” on students and peaceful demonstrators, stated that hundreds were seriously injured and highlighted the sexual assault that many female protesters faced at the hands of police.
“Our students were demanding a fair and accountable education system,” he wrote. “Instead of listening to them, security forces attacked them with indiscriminate force, including lethal weapons and tear gas. Hundreds were seriously injured. Female students were assaulted by police officers, including deliberately targeting their genitals.”
The Congress leader also stated that the use of pellet guns was “most shocking”.
He added: “Reports in the media and social media clearly show that people were seriously injured, 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 hit by the pellet bullet.”
Read also | CRPF headquarters is seeking a report on the use of pellet guns in the RJD protest
Gandhi sought answers from Amit Shah, as security deployment in the national capital falls under the responsibility of the Home Ministry. In his letter, the congressman asked two questions:
- As Home Secretary, did you approve the use of lethal force, including shotguns, against students? If not, who did?
- Were people in civilian clothes seen beating students, police officers or volunteers? Who allowed them to be published?
July 20 campaign | What happened?
The Sarsour Janta Party has called for a march to Parliament on July 20, which also marks the start of the monsoon period. However, when thousands of protesters marched towards the Parliament building, they were met with a violent crackdown by Delhi Police, Rapid Action Force and CRPF personnel.
The police resorted to using lathi, several rounds of tear gas and smoke bombs were recorded, and the use of pellet guns was also recorded.
Delhi Police and security personnel said the crackdown was in response to stone-pelting by protesters, however, several media reports highlighted that the protest march remained peaceful.
“Such brutal violence destroys all norms and has angered the country. The youth and students, the future of our country, demand answers and accountability. Their voice will be heard,” Gandhi added in his message.
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