Center lying on use of firearms against protesters, says Rahul Gandhi

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with a victim of alleged machine gun firing during a student protest march organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on July 20 interacts with the media in New Delhi. | Photo credit: PTI

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday (July 24, 2026) accused the government of lying about the use of firearms. He had earlier met Sahil Lachob, who sustained gunshot wounds during a security force crackdown on protesters on July 20 (first reported by The Hindu).

Mr Gandhi said Dharmendra Pradhan was a “crime education minister”, a symbol of the collapse of India’s education system and must be removed.

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In a clear attempt to reach out to Gen Z, Mr Gandhi decided to hold a live press conference with Sahil on Instagram, the platform preferred by the youth, after meeting him at 10 Janpath, the official residence of Congress Parliamentary Party President Sonia Gandhi.

The political row over the alleged use of firearms during the July 20 protest has now intensified. While the Delhi Police has denied using firearms against the protesters, the CRPF, whose rapid action personnel have also been deployed, said it was “verifying” reports of their use.

Also read | CRPF ‘verifying’ reports of firearms used against Delhi protesters: official

Mr Gandhi, standing next to Sahil at 10 Janpath, said the government was misleading the country by denying that firearms were used against the student protesters.

“Government is saying ‘no’. My brother was hit by a firing pistol when he was peacefully protesting with the tricolor in his hand,” the Congress leader told reporters.

Lifting up Sahil’s T-shirt to show the injuries on his torso, Mr Gandhi said the youngster had also suffered damage to his right eye, leaving his vision impaired. “This is the future of our country. Thousands of youths were shot with firearms and beaten with lathi-charge. They were protesting peacefully,” he said.

The Congress leader said that Sahil had appeared for the police recruitment exam but his paper was allegedly leaked. “His parents spent their hard-earned money to give him this opportunity. The government has attacked our future,” he said.

Mr Gandhi said those responsible for the “attacks” on the students should be punished and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologize to the students. “Stop attacking and threatening our students,” he said, accusing the government of suppressing the peace movement.

Sahil, who has undergone one operation to remove the balls from his eye and is awaiting another, demanded justice. He was first taken to Lady Hardinge Medical College, then shifted to Safdarjung Hospital and later to AIIMS Trauma Centre.

Published – 24 Jul 2026 17:02 IST