Amit Shah orders force against student protesters

India’s Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused Home Minister Amit Shah of ordering the use of force against student protesters during a march to Parliament, drawing strong objections from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha.

Rahul made the allegation during a debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, while discussing nationwide student protests over an alleged National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak.

He said political parties should respect the voices of protesting students, describing the demonstrations as a reflection of young people’s concerns over their future. Referring to violence during a 20 July student march to Parliament organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Rahul alleged that Amit Shah had instructed authorities to use force against protesters. His remarks immediately triggered protests from treasury bench members, who demanded evidence to support the claim.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla asked Rahul to provide proof for his allegation, saying accusations could not be made without evidence.

Rahul later stopped his speech following the exchange.

Earlier in his address, the Congress leader criticised India’s education system, calling it expensive and alleging that the system had failed students. He also accused the government of allowing the education system to be influenced by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) lawmakers responded by highlighting examination paper leak cases during previous Congress-led governments and in states governed by opposition parties.

Opposition MP Murasoli Maran of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) criticised the bill, saying it failed to address the fundamental problems affecting examinations and reiterated his party’s opposition to NEET.