Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday, 26 July 2026, wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding accountability for the alleged assault on students who were peacefully demonstrating in Delhi on 20 July 2026. Gandhi described the security forces' response as excessive and called for urgent answers on who authorised the use of force.

What Gandhi Alleged in the Letter

In his letter, Gandhi stated that students had gathered to demand a fair and accountable education system but were met with what he called indiscriminate force. He wrote: 'I write to demand accountability for the barbaric assault on students who were peacefully protesting in Delhi on July 20, 2026. Our students were demanding a fair and accountable education system. Instead of being heard, security forces assaulted them with indiscriminate force, including lethal weapons and tear gas. Hundreds have suffered serious injuries. Women students have been assaulted by policemen, including by deliberately targeting their private parts.'

Gandhi also flagged the reported use of pellet guns, calling it the most alarming aspect of the crackdown. He wrote: 'Most shocking has been the use of lethal pellet guns. Reports in the media and social media clearly show people who have suffered grave injuries, including a journalist. I met 19-year old student Sahil Lochab, who is now in severe pain is likely to lose an eye because he was shot with pellet guns.'

Two Specific Questions Raised

Gandhi posed two direct questions to the Home Minister. First, he asked whether Amit Shah had personally approved the use of lethal force, including pellet guns, against the protesters — and if not, who had authorised it. Second, he sought clarity on whether individuals seen in plain clothes assaulting students with lathis were police personnel or volunteers, and under whose authority they had been deployed.

Underlining the constitutional right to peaceful protest, Gandhi said: 'Peaceful protest is crucial to any democracy. It is the government's responsibility to protect protesters and resolve their grievances through dialogue. Such brutal violence destroys every norm, and has outraged the country. Youth and students, the future of our country, are demanding answers and accountability. Their voice will be heard.'

Government Accepts Key Demands, CJP Calls Off Agitation

Separately, the Combined Junior Professionals (CJP) called off its sit-in at Jantar Mantar on Saturday after the Centre accepted its key demands, following the resignation of an official referred to as Pradhan. The decision was announced at a joint press conference in New Delhi after the third round of negotiations between Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, and CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.

Addressing the media, Nadda said the government had agreed to withdraw all police cases filed against protesting students, provide written confirmation of the FIR withdrawals, and ensure the highest possible compensation for families of students who died in incidents linked to the alleged paper leak controversy.

Saurav Das, speaking on behalf of the CJP, urged protesters to withdraw the agitation and return home, saying the government had accepted all demands raised during the sit-in and there was no further reason to continue.

What Happens Next

Gandhi's letter puts the Home Ministry under formal political pressure to account for the events of 20 July. With the CJP agitation suspended following government assurances, the focus now shifts to whether those assurances — including FIR withdrawals and compensation — are implemented, and whether the Centre responds to Gandhi's pointed questions on the chain of command during the crackdown.