Rahul Gandhi accused Home Minister Amit Shah of authorizing police excesses, including the use of pellet guns, against student protesters on Wednesday [1].
The allegations highlight a deepening conflict between the Indian government and the opposition over the treatment of youth activists and the limits of police power.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi, Gandhi said the Home Minister authorized the use of pellet guns during the crackdown on students [2]. He characterized the actions as an abuse of power and said that the minister lacks humanity [3].
Gandhi said he would raise the issue of police misconduct further within Parliament [2]. The accusations target the leadership of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which oversees internal security and police coordination across the country.
The government responded to the allegations by hitting back at the Leader of the Opposition [4]. This exchange occurs amidst ongoing tensions regarding the right to protest, and the legality of the force used by security personnel against student-led demonstrations [1].
Gandhi's statements were made on July 29, 2026 [1]. He argued that the authorization of such weaponry against students represents a systemic failure in governance, and a violation of human rights [2].
“Rahul Gandhi accused Home Minister Amit Shah of authorizing police excesses”
This confrontation underscores the volatile relationship between the ruling party and the opposition regarding civil liberties. By specifically naming the Home Minister and alleging the authorization of pellet guns, the Leader of the Opposition is attempting to shift the accountability for police violence from local officers to the highest levels of national security leadership.
