Amit Shah Ordered Students to Be Shot’: Rahul Gandhi’s Charge Triggers Lok Sabha Uproar

Indian Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged in the Lok Sabha that Union Home Minister Amit Shah authorised the use of force, including pellet guns, against student protesters during the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” march over alleged examination paper leaks.

Speaking during the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, Gandhi said: “The Home Minister authorised the firing on our students. Pellets were fired at them. Orders were given to shoot at students.” He further claimed Shah “put pellets into the blood of our students” and “ordered the students of India to be shot,” while also remarking on the Home Minister’s absence from the House.

The remarks triggered strong protests from the treasury benches. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju termed the charge “very serious” and “baseless,” demanding that Gandhi either substantiate it with evidence or apologise. Speaker Om Birla intervened, noting the discussion was not on the Home Minister and urging statements based on facts. Proceedings were disrupted and the House was adjourned at one point.

Responding on behalf of the government, Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that no shots were fired during the July 20 police action and that only tear gas was used. He added that the authority to issue such orders rests with the magistrate, not a minister, and that the question of an order from the Home Minister therefore did not arise. The government has rejected the allegation and pressed for an apology.

The exchange forms part of ongoing political contention over the handling of student protests linked to paper-leak controversies and the subsequent resignation of the former education minister. As of the latest reports from Wednesday’s proceedings, Amit Shah had not personally responded in the House to the specific charge.