The BJP claims that Rahul Gandhi spread misinformation about the police action and demands an apology

BJP MP Sambit Patra. File | Photo credit: PTI

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday (July 29, 2026) demanded an apology from the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for what it described as spreading misinformation to create confusion, incite unrest and gain political advantage.

Also read | Rahul Gandhi attacks Govt, RSS over student protest in Lok Sabha

At a press conference, BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said that Mr Gandhi had falsely claimed in the Lok Sabha that bullets were fired at the students’ march to Parliament on July 20, 2026. Since no such incident took place, his allegation that Amit Shah had ordered the firing was also false, Mr Patra said. The claim was also inaccurate because decisions on the use of force are made on the ground by local judges, not the home secretary, he said.

“During the movement in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, you shot and killed hundreds of students. In Jammu and Kashmir, you fired bullets. In Assam, you fired at the Assam Students’ Union and brutally killed over 800 students. At that time, the only concern was how the next generation of the Gandhi family would continue to become the Prime Minister,” added Mr G Patra.

The BJP leader accused Mr Gandhi of insulting students by dividing the protesters at Jantar Mantar into three categories – “students”, “idiots” and “andhbhakt” (blind devotees) and of repeatedly using the unparliamentary word “idiot” in the Lok Sabha. The Congress leader also falsely claimed that his microphone was switched off to “play the victim card”, alleged Mr Patra.

He rejected Mr Gandhi’s claim that Mr Shah was “shaking” in the car, saying the home minister was a strong leader who had taken decisive action against Naxalism and terrorism. Mr. Patra also accused Congress officials of trying to lower the morale of the armed forces by alleging that they tore girls’ clothes during the protests.

Countering Mr. Gandhi’s allegation that he was not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Patra said about 45 MPs participated in the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Malpractice) Amendment Bill, 2026.

“Rahul Gandhi alleged that Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajnath Singh interrupted his speech… The objections raised several times by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju were over Rahul Gandhi’s use of the unparliamentary word ‘idiot’ as such language is prohibited in the House under parliamentary rules,” he said.

“Defence Minister and Deputy Leader of the House Rajnath Singh also stood up to challenge Rahul Gandhi to present his views and urged members of ministries to listen carefully. What greater example of democratic tradition could there be?” said Mr. Patra.

“When the CJP (Cockroach Janta Party) and other associates staged a protest, Rahul Gandhi felt that the credit for it should have gone to him. But once the agitation was over, the demonstrations stopped and after talks between the leaders of both parties (the CJP and the Union government reached an agreement), he was faced with the question of how to derive political mileage.”

Published – 29 Jul 2026 22:25 IST