'Don't use students for politics': BJP attacks Rahul over Jantar Mantar protest claims

'Don't use students for politics': BJP attacks Rahul Gandhi over Jantar Mantar protest claims

Edited by: Yashasvi Vasistha / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Aug 05, 2026, 19:59 IST

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File photo: BJP MP Sambit Patra addresses a press conference in New Delhi

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday hit back at Congress leader and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his allegations of police excesses during the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' student protest, accusing him of spreading a "false narrative" and using students for political purposes.

"We had clearly stated earlier that no firing took place during the 'Sansad Chalo' protest in Delhi on the 20th. I am repeating it today with the same sense of responsibility because this is a sensitive issue. We do not want misinformation to spread or falsehoods to be accepted as facts. Therefore, I want to state once again, calmly and clearly, that no bullets were fired during the 'Sansad Chalo' protest in Delhi on the 20th," he added.

BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of pushing 'false narrative'

Responding to allegations raised by some student protesters during the former Congress President's press conference, Patra said students should not be divided on religious lines.

BJP questions Rahul Gandhi's silence on Jharkhand students

He also rejected Rahul's allegation that Union home minister Amit Shah was avoiding Parliament over the issue.

"The House begins its proceedings at 11 am, but Rahul Gandhi and his MPs create such a ruckus that it has to be adjourned within minutes. When the House reconvenes, they again reach the Speaker's desk, raise slogans and wave placards so they can be seen on television. In such a situation, how can they expect Parliament to function?" he said.

"The person who is responsible for this violence... is Amit Shah. He does not have the decency to come to Parliament. Either he did not know that this violence was being carried out on the children, in which case he is incompetent, or he ordered the shooting of the pellet gun and the violence on these children. It means he is culpable. Either way, he is responsible," Rahul had said.