Escalating the confrontation with the Narendra Modi government over the use of force and lethal weapons, such as pellet guns, against protesting students during their march towards Parliament on July 20, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday demanded the dismissal of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

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Mr. Gandhi also reiterated his demand for a Supreme Court-monitored independent inquiry into the police action.

“There are only two possibilities: either Mr. Shah ordered the use of lethal weapons or he was not aware of it. He is either culpable or incapable and in both cases, he has to go,” Mr. Gandhi said.

Addressing a press conference at Indira Bhavan, Mr. Gandhi further remarked that the “balloon” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “fake image” had already burst. “Huge money and resources are used to keep that balloon floating, but it has already burst,” he said.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi targets Amit Shah in Lok Sabha over police action against student protesters

‘Accountability for injuries’

Doubling down on the allegations he made in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day, Mr. Gandhi accused Mr. Shah of being responsible for the alleged use of pellet guns, shock batons, and “lathis with nails” against students.

“The students were shot with pellet guns. One boy who was hit is most likely to lose his eye. I have seen the AIIMS medical certificate,” Mr. Gandhi claimed, adding that he had also seen videos of police personnel assaulting women and minors.

He alleged that both the Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force, which report to the Union Home Ministry, were involved in the crackdown.

Mr. Gandhi said Parliament had been prevented from debating what he described as the “most fundamental issue” facing the country.

Claiming that he was repeatedly denied an opportunity to speak in the Lok Sabha, he alleged that he had been told he would be allowed to speak only if he apologised for his remarks against Mr. Shah.

“I will never apologise to the BJP, the RSS, or anybody associated with them,” he said.

Questioning Mr. Shah’s absence from the House during the debate, Mr. Gandhi said that if the Home Minister was not responsible for the police action, he should have appeared in Parliament and clarified his position.

“Amit Shah couldn’t come to the Lok Sabha. Why? He is guilty. Otherwise, he would have replied in two minutes,” he said.

The Opposition leader said he was forced to hold the press conference as he could not complete his speech. “Every time I try to speak in Parliament, I am silenced,” he said.

Seeking to reassure students injured in the protests, Mr. Gandhi said the Opposition would pursue accountability.

“We will ensure that every single student gets justice. This is our guarantee, the Opposition’s guarantee, that every student will get justice,” he said, adding that the Congress had collected video evidence that would be preserved for future legal proceedings.

Mr. Gandhi also criticised the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, calling it inadequate to tackle paper leaks.

“The Bill does not explain how paper leaks will be prevented. It only increases punishment. It is not even like a band-aid when surgery is needed,” he said.

Watch the LIVE speech here: