Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, urged students who participated in protests demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to record videos of alleged police excesses and forward the evidence to the Indian National Congress (INC), asserting that everyone responsible — from top officials down to individual constables — would be held accountable.

What Gandhi Said at the Press Conference

Addressing a press conference alongside the demonstrators, Gandhi launched a pointed attack on the government's handling of the protest. 'As I said in my press conference, this is India. Amit Shah ji, take a good look at this. There is no Hindu here, no Muslim, no one from any particular caste. There is no woman or man. There is one voice, one protest. It is the voice of India, and you are standing against this voice. The Prime Minister is standing against this voice,' he said.

Gandhi did not stop at rhetoric. He issued a direct warning: 'I have told all the students to keep a video record and send that evidence to us. When this entire matter concludes, we will use all the evidence and ensure that everyone who needs to be punished is punished, from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gyanesh Kumar and Amit Shah to even the constable who raises a hand against our children,' he added.

Alleged Injuries Sustained by Protesters

Gandhi drew particular attention to Athira, a student from Kerala studying at Delhi University, whom he said had lost hearing in one ear after being struck during the police action. 'Athira from Kerala has lost her hearing in one ear. She is deaf in one ear because she was struck on that ear. She can no longer hear. Last time, I showed you a boy who had been blinded. Now, she is deaf in one ear,' he said.

Athira herself alleged that no female police personnel were present when protesters were detained on Tuesday. She further claimed that a bus stopped outside the Connaught Place police station, where she was allegedly hit repeatedly on the cheek. 'Because of this, I have an injury to my eye and damage to my ear,' she said, describing the injuries she reportedly sustained.

Gandhi Praises Protester as 'Sherni'

The Congress leader also introduced a female protester, calling her 'our sherni' — a term of fearless resolve — praising her for reportedly remaining unintimidated despite allegedly being assaulted. 'She was beaten, but she was not afraid. There was no hatred in her heart,' he said.

FIRs, Evidence, and What Comes Next

Gandhi acknowledged that first information reports (FIRs) would be filed against the protesters, calling it 'all part of the work.' He framed the suppression of the student voice as a central concern, saying: 'There is one voice, and that voice is being suppressed.'

This comes amid a broader opposition campaign questioning the independence of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The demand for Kumar's removal has drawn students from multiple universities into the streets of New Delhi, marking one of the more visible campus-driven political protests in recent years. With evidence-collection now formally underway, the Congress is signalling that this confrontation is far from over.