Rahul Gandhi, a Congress MP and Leader of Opposition, accused the Modi government of brutality following a crackdown on student protesters [1, 2].
The escalation marks a deepening rift between the ruling party and the opposition over civil liberties and the use of force by security agencies.
Gandhi called for the removal of Home Minister Amit Shah and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the events of July 20, 2026 [1, 2]. The crackdown on student demonstrators in Delhi reportedly involved the use of pellet guns and excessive police force [2].
Following the crackdown, Gandhi held a flash protest outside the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 21, 2026 [2]. While some supporters viewed the action as a legitimate stand against brutality, the wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk said the protest was insincere [2].
Beyond the student protests, Gandhi joined other opposition leaders, including RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, in protesting the passage of a Vande Mataram bill in Parliament [3]. The legislation passed in the Rajya Sabha amid an opposition walkout, during which some of Gandhi's remarks were expunged from the record [3].
Opposition parties argue that the Vande Mataram bill is a partisan issue and that the government is using legislative power to marginalize dissenting voices [3]. They maintain that the combination of legislative maneuvers, and police action, represents a systemic effort to stifle democratic protest [1, 3].
Gandhi said the government must be held accountable for the actions of the police in Delhi. He said the use of pellet guns against students is unacceptable in a democracy [2].
“Rahul Gandhi called for the removal of Home Minister Amit Shah.”
This confrontation highlights a two-pronged strategy by the Indian opposition to challenge the Modi administration. By linking the physical crackdown on students with the legislative passage of the Vande Mataram bill, the opposition is attempting to frame the government's current tenure as one of increasing authoritarianism. The demand for a Supreme Court-monitored probe indicates a shift toward seeking judicial intervention to bypass the Home Ministry's internal oversight.
