Rahul Gandhi sits on dharna at Delhi police station; RAF, additional forces deployed

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday staged a sit-in outside the Parliament Street Police Station, demanding the registration of an FIR over the alleged use of pellet guns against protesters during the July 20 agitation in the national capital. Gandhi, accompanied by Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old student who says he suffered pellet injuries during the protest, first approached the Mandir Marg Police Station before proceeding to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police. He later began a dharna at Parliament Street Police Station after an FIR was allegedly not registered. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other party leaders subsequently joined the protest.

Gandhi also stepped up his attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, holding the Centre responsible for the manner in which the July 20 demonstration was handled. The Congress has alleged that excessive force, including pellet guns, was used against protesters and has sought accountability for those who authorised the action. The controversy has grown beyond the original demonstration, with the Opposition repeatedly raising questions over the use of force and demanding that responsibility be fixed at the highest levels.

'Sit-in to continue until FIR registered'

The immediate focus of Friday's protest was Lochab's complaint and the Congress's demand that the police formally register a criminal case. Gandhi accompanied the student while approaching police officials and insisted that allegations involving pellet injuries warranted an FIR and an investigation. Congress sources said Gandhi was prepared to continue the sit-in until the complaint was formally acted upon. The party argued that the matter could not be treated merely as a political disagreement because it involved allegations of physical injuries caused during police action against demonstrators.

The July 20 protest had witnessed clashes between demonstrators and security personnel as protesters attempted a march in the Capital. The Delhi Police, however, has defended its response to the agitation. In a submission before the Supreme Court, the police said the demonstration had been infiltrated by “history-sheeters” and “anti-social elements” and claimed that more than 240 police personnel were injured during the unrest. According to the police version, force was used after the law-and-order situation deteriorated and posed a threat to public safety.

Allegation of 'subjecting students to brutality'

The alleged use of pellet guns has become one of the most contentious aspects of the July 20 episode. Reports citing an inquiry by the Central Reserve Police Force said a Rapid Action Force personnel had fired seven rounds from a pellet weapon during the confrontation, including five towards protesters and two towards the ground. Three people were reported injured, including Lochab, another civilian and a journalist. The circumstances surrounding the firing and the question of who authorised it have since become central to the political dispute.

Gandhi had earlier raised the issue publicly and accused the authorities of subjecting students to brutality. He has referred to medical records while arguing that injuries sustained during the protest require an independent and transparent investigation. The Congress has also sought to link the episode to the larger question of how the government responds to student demonstrations, particularly protests arising from concerns over examinations and the education system.

Congress turns up political pressure

With Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Congress leaders joining Friday's demonstration, the dispute acquired a sharper political edge. The party has sought to portray the absence of an FIR as a question of police accountability rather than merely a procedural disagreement. Gandhi's decision to remain at the police station also marked an escalation from speeches and parliamentary interventions to a direct protest demanding police action on an individual complaint.

The sit-in comes amid Gandhi's wider outreach to students and young people. He is scheduled to attend the Congress's “Chhatron Ki Goonj” programme in Pune on Saturday, for which the authorities have granted permission subject to several conditions. The July 20 police action is expected to remain a prominent part of the Congress's campaign as the party seeks to keep questions surrounding the treatment of student protesters in the political spotlight.