Rahul Gandhi Urges PM Modi to Apologise to Students, Punish Those Behind Campus Violence

New Delhi, July 27: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi-led government over the handling of student protests linked to the alleged NEET paper leak, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to students and initiate strict action against those responsible for violence during demonstrations in Bihar.

In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi alleged that protesting students had been subjected to excessive force and claimed reports suggested that AK-47 rifles were used during the police response in Bihar. He also criticised the filing of criminal cases against demonstrators, saying students were being treated unfairly instead of having their concerns addressed.

Questions Government’s Commitment

Gandhi accused the Centre of failing to honour its assurances regarding student protesters. Referring to earlier statements that no FIRs would be lodged against students and that those detained would be released, he alleged the government’s actions contradicted those promises.

He said students had instead faced arrests and forceful action, arguing that such measures reflected a broader pattern of suppressing voices demanding transparency and accountability.

Raises Concerns Over Use of Force

The Congress leader compared the police response to recent student protests in different parts of the country. He referred to the use of pellet guns during demonstrations in Delhi and alleged that firearms were used in Bihar, claiming the response to student protests appeared similar across several states.

According to Gandhi, governments should engage with students through dialogue rather than using force to disperse demonstrations.

Appeals to the Prime Minister

Calling for accountability, Gandhi urged Prime Minister Modi to publicly apologise to students and ensure that those responsible for attacking protesters are held accountable. He said action should be directed against individuals who allegedly used violence rather than against students participating in peaceful demonstrations.

He further claimed that the present administration had repeatedly failed to deliver meaningful reforms in the education system and accused it of attempting to silence criticism instead of resolving genuine concerns.

Backdrop of Bihar Protests

The controversy follows demonstrations organised by Left\ leaning student groups across Bihar on Saturday in support of a statewide bandh over the alleged NEET paper leak and police action against students. While several protests remained peaceful, some incidents turned violent, leading to clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement personnel.

Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav alleged that police personnel fired AK-47 rifles during protests in Siwan. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the allegation.

Reference to Earlier Demonstrations

Gandhi also referred to the “Sansad Chalo” march held in New Delhi on July 20, during which students and opposition backed organisations protested over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Police used batons and tear gas to disperse the gathering after tensions escalated, leaving several protesters and security personnel injured.

The protests have intensified the political confrontation over examination irregularities, with opposition parties demanding greater accountability and transparency in the conduct of competitive examinations. Meanwhile, the government has maintained that it is committed to protecting the integrity of the examination system and taking appropriate action against malpractice.