Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He has demanded accountability for police action against student protesters in Delhi on July 20, 2026.
On July 20, Students gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. They marched towards Parliament under the banner of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The march was called “Chalo Sansad.” Protesters were demanding action against an alleged NEET paper leak. They also wanted a fair and accountable education system.
Police used batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Several protesters and at least one journalist suffered injuries. Hospital records reportedly showed wounds consistent with pellet gun injuries.
छात्रों को मारने का आदेश किसने दिया? pic.twitter.com/NDwfka1UqO
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 26, 2026
Rahul Gandhi’s letter
In his letter, Gandhi wrote about “the barbaric assault on students who were peacefully protesting in Delhi.” He said security forces used “indiscriminate force, including lethal weapons and tear gas.” He alleged women students were assaulted by policemen.
Gandhi met 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab. He said Lochab “is now in severe pain” and “is likely to lose an eye” after being hit by pellets.
He asked Shah two direct questions. First, did he approve the use of lethal force including pellet guns against students. Second, who authorised people in plain clothes seen beating students with lathis.
Gandhi wrote, “Peaceful protest is crucial to any democracy.” He added that the government must protect protestors and resolve grievances through dialogue.
Sahil Lochab’s injury
According to reports, Lochab underwent surgery. Doctors removed multiple metallic pellets from his eye. His mother, Jyoti, told the paper doctors said there is only a “1% chance” his vision will return to normal. His friend Parvesh said, “Sahil said he was hit directly in his eye.”
Reports also named other injured protesters, including Shaikh Irshad Mansoori, who had pellets removed from his face and body.
Delhi Police denial
Delhi Police has denied using pellet guns. It called the reports “false and misleading.” However, fact-checkers reported a video showing a Rapid Action Force soldier firing what appeared to be a pellet gun during the protest. Experts weighed in saying the weapons seen in videos were 12-bore pump-action rifles, commonly called pellet guns.
Human Rights Watch said police and the Rapid Action Force used “electric shock batons, tear gas and stones.” It added that internet services were restricted during the protest.
Gandhi’s press conference
On July 25, Gandhi held a press conference. He said, “We hold Amit Shah directly responsible for the violence that has taken place against our students.” Also, he added, “He authorised the shooting of our students. He authorised the use of lethal weapons, including pellet guns, against our students.”
Gandhi said the issue would be raised in Parliament. He also linked the protests to what he called failures in India’s education, media and job systems.