Rahul Gandhi made serious allegations regarding police action on Jantar Mantar protest. They claimed to have used pellet guns, shock batons and sticks with nails on the students.
Rahul Gandhi PC: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a press conference on Wednesday, July 29, openly opposed the police action taken against the protesters at Jantar Mantar on July 20. He said that it is his right to raise public issues and he will continue to do so in future also. During the press conference, Rahul Gandhi also showed 5 pictures related to police action through a presentation. He also said that what happened to the students is a very serious matter.
‘Students were brutalized’: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi said that the biggest issue for him at the moment is the alleged violence against students. He said, “At a distance of about 500 meters from the Parliament, the students of the country were beaten. The students who were asking questions and expressing their views were treated violently.” He alleged that pellet guns were used on students during the protest and one student is feared to have lost the vision in one eye.
‘Saw the medical certificate of AIIMS’
Rahul Gandhi claimed that he has seen the AIIMS medical certificate of the student concerned. According to him, “A student has been shot by a pellet gun and is likely to lose one eye. The medical certificate also mentions the injury being caused by a pellet gun.” These claims have not been independently verified in this report.
Allegations of use of shock batons and sticks with nails
Rahul Gandhi also accused the police of using shock batons and sticks with nails during the action against the protesters. He said that women and minors were also not spared. In his words, “Where did the police get this method? Women and even minors were beaten with sticks with nails.”
‘Police officer seen slapping protestor’
The Congress leader claimed that he also saw a police officer slapping a protester. Along with this, he also accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
What did Rahul Gandhi say about Amit Shah?
Rahul Gandhi claimed that when he was present in the Parliament House, he himself saw Amit Shah giving instructions to the police officers. He said, “I saw with my own eyes Amit Shah calling the police officers. I also saw Jitendra Singh receiving continuous calls from Amit Shah. It was clear that he had complete information about the situation.” The parties’ response to these allegations is not included in this report.
The issue was also raised in the Lok Sabha
This press conference of Rahul Gandhi took place a few hours after the heated debate in the Lok Sabha. He had also alleged in the Lok Sabha that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered the use of force against the students protesting at Jantar Mantar.
‘I was asked to apologize, but I won’t’
Rahul Gandhi also claimed that he was assured that if he apologised, he would be allowed to complete his speech in the Lok Sabha. On this he said, “I was not allowed to speak. Rajnath Singh and Kiren Rijiju were allowed to speak several times. I was told that if I apologise, I can complete the speech.” However, he clearly said, “I will not apologize to BJP or RSS under any circumstances.”