Congress Demands Amit Shah Account for Student Police Brutality

Opposition lawmakers are demanding that Union Home Minister Amit Shah accept accountability for alleged police brutality against students during a July 20 rally at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, citing the use of pellet guns, tear gas, water cannons, and lathi charges against protesters, including women.

Tagore and other opposition members accused Shah of evading Parliament proceedings to avoid addressing the violence. On August 11, the second-to-last day of the Monsoon Session, Shah offered to hold a parliamentary discussion on student issues, provided the House functioned smoothly. Congress MP KC Venugopal rejected the offer as a "face-saving exercise," arguing the government was attempting to divert attention from the Delhi atrocities by referencing student protests in Jharkhand.

While RJD MP Sanjay Yadav questioned why the government waited until the end of the session to offer a debate, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor asserted that the opposition remains ready to discuss the matter. The stalemate continues as the opposition insists on a formal apology and accountability for the police actions in the capital.