Rahul Gandhi Slams PM Modi Over Gen Z Protests, Demands SC Probe

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of attempting to intimidate and silence the younger generation, often referred to as Gen Z. In a strongly worded post on the social media platform X, the Congress leader asserted that the government is using legal measures such as filing First Information Reports (FIRs) and administrative actions like suspending social media accounts to suppress the voices of the youth who are speaking out against the administration.

Allegations of Intimidation and Suppression

Rahul Gandhi's remarks come in the wake of recent student protests that have seen a significant police response, while he directly addressed the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, stating that they can't silence Gen Z through fear or intimidation. He highlighted a progression in the government's tactics, claiming that after physical force was used against the students, the government has now turned to legal and digital suppression. "First you broke their bones. Now you're filing FIRs and closing their accounts," Gandhi stated in his post, emphasizing the harsh treatment meted out to the young protesters, while he further cautioned the leadership, remarking that they represent the past of India and should be careful about how they treat the future of the country.

Demand for Supreme Court-Monitored Investigation

The Congress MP has called for the establishment of an independent and high-level committee, monitored by the Supreme Court, to investigate the police action against student protesters. This demand specifically pertains to the events of July 20, when students held a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi insisted on a fair and impartial inquiry into the use of force by the police during this demonstration, while he stated that students deserve justice and that the alleged brutality they faced must be scrutinized by a high-level body under the direct supervision of the apex court.

Evidence of Police Action

To support his claims, Rahul Gandhi shared a video clip on social media that depicts the police crackdown on the protesters. The footage shows police personnel engaging in a lathi charge against the students. A particularly striking part of the video shows a person in plain clothes slamming a student protester, who was holding the Indian national flag, onto the road with significant force during the police operation. This visual evidence has been used by the opposition to highlight what they describe as the excessive and unwarranted use of force against peaceful demonstrators.

Opposition Protest at Makar Dwar

The demand for accountability wasn't limited to social media. On Thursday, several Members of Parliament from the INDIA bloc gathered at the Makar Dwar within the Parliament complex to register their protest, while 30 in the morning, with MPs holding placards and raising slogans against the central government. They questioned who authorized the police action against the student protesters at Jantar Mantar on July 20. In addition to the issue of student safety and rights, the protesting lawmakers also raised concerns regarding alleged financial irregularities related to donations made to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, demanding transparency and answers from the government on both fronts.