Rahul Gandhi asks Amit Shah who approved pellet guns on students

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding to know who authorised the use of pellet guns against student protesters. The letter comes amid a widening political row over what opposition parties are calling a "barbaric assault" on young demonstrators.

Gandhi's communication directly questions the chain of command that led to students being shot with pellet guns during recent protests. The opposition has seized on the issue, planning to corner the NDA government when Parliament reconvenes.

Opposition unites over police action

Several opposition parties are coordinating their strategy to raise the matter in both Houses. They are insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi issue a public apology for the crackdown on student demonstrators.

Leaders across party lines have described the use of pellet guns as excessive force. The Congress party has circulated a note calling the police action "unprovoked and disproportionate" against unarmed students.

Questions over command and control

Gandhi's letter to Shah specifically asks whether the home ministry was consulted before pellet guns were deployed. The opposition wants a clear answer on who bears responsibility for the decision.

The use of pellet guns has long been controversial for the severe injuries they cause, including loss of eyesight. Medical reports from the protests have documented multiple cases of eye injuries among students.

Government sources have not yet responded to the specific questions raised by Gandhi's letter. Officials maintain that police were acting to prevent violence and damage to public property.

Parliamentary battle ahead

The opposition is expected to disrupt proceedings when Parliament begins its next session, demanding a statement from the home minister. They have warned that they will not allow the House to function unless their demands are met.

Beyond the apology from the Prime Minister, opposition MPs are also seeking a parliamentary committee investigation into the incident. They argue that the use of pellet guns on a campus represents a dangerous escalation of force.

Some ruling party members have defended the police action, stating that the protests turned violent and law enforcement had to restore order. They have accused the opposition of politicising a law and order situation.

Neither the Home Minister's office nor the Prime Minister's Office has issued any official statement on the opposition's demands as of now. The coming parliamentary session is expected to see heated exchanges over the matter.

What happens next

The government will have to decide whether to offer a statement in Parliament or stonewall opposition demands. All eyes are now on the home ministry's official response to Gandhi's letter, which could determine the tone of the upcoming session.