Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi reached a Delhi police station on Friday accompanied by a student allegedly injured by a pellet gun, and staged a sit-in outside a senior officer’s office demanding that a formal FIR be registered. The protest is linked to alleged police action during a student demonstration over NEET irregularities on July 20 in the national capital. Jantantra TV continues to track this story in its News and Delhi NCR sections.
From Mandir Marg to the DCP’s Office
According to sources, Gandhi first visited Mandir Marg Police Station and requested that a case be registered over the alleged use of excessive force against protesting students. When police allegedly refused, he proceeded to meet the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Central. Sources say Gandhi made it clear he would not leave until the case was formally registered, before moving on to Parliament Street Police Station, where he continued to press senior officials for action.
Reports indicate Gandhi staged a sit-in protest outside the police station, insisting he would stay until an FIR was formally lodged based on his complaint.
What Triggered the Row
The controversy stems from a student protest held in Delhi on July 20 over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Gandhi alleges that police used excessive force against the protesting students, including the alleged use of pellet guns — a claim Delhi Police has previously denied.
This is not the first time Gandhi has raised the issue. On July 25, he had directly attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah, holding him personally responsible for the alleged violence. At a press conference, Gandhi said: “We hold Amit Shah directly responsible for the violence that has taken place against our students. He authorised the shooting of our students. He authorised the use of lethal weapons, including pellet guns, against our students. For us, this is a fundamental issue. We will not accept our own forces shooting at the future of India. This will be a major issue in Parliament.”
Gandhi Links Protests to Deeper Systemic Failures
Gandhi has repeatedly framed the student unrest as a symptom of broader structural problems, arguing that the protests reflect the collapse of India’s “education system, media system, and job creation system.” He warned that these weaknesses could have serious consequences if the country faces an economic crisis in the future.
He also said the students were demanding an apology from the Prime Minister, describing the protests as a stern warning to the government to stop treating the country as its “personal fiefdom,” and cautioned that continued neglect of the youth’s concerns could trigger unrest on an even larger scale.
A History of Standoffs With Police
This is not Gandhi’s first confrontation with law enforcement in recent memory. Earlier this week, he was detained by police after staging a sit-in protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence. He has also previously been named in an FIR at the same Parliament Street Police Station, in connection with a December 2024 scuffle inside Parliament premises involving BJP MPs — a case that was later transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch.
What Happens Next
As of now, Gandhi remains at Parliament Street Police Station in talks with senior officers, continuing to press for the formal registration of the FIR. The Congress party is expected to raise the issue prominently in Parliament as well.
Disclaimer: This report is based on sources and media accounts. Delhi Police has not issued an official statement on the matter so far. Jantantra TV will continue to track this developing story and bring you every update.
