Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday intensified his attack on the Centre, alleging that security personnel used pellet guns against students during the recent NEET protest in Delhi and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Addressing the media after meeting injured protesters, Gandhi presented an injured student, Sahil, claiming he had suffered serious injuries after being hit by pellets during the “Sansad Chalo” protest march.
“The government is saying there is no use of pellet guns, but I can show you a victim here with me,” Gandhi said, accusing the Centre of trying to suppress facts related to the police action against students.
Rahul Gandhi Says Student Lost Vision in One Eye
Referring to Sahil, Gandhi alleged that the student suffered severe damage to one of his eyes after being struck by a pellet.
“My brother was hit by pellets while he was waving the national flag. He can’t see from his right eye, which was hit by pellets. He is not sure if he will regain his vision,” Gandhi said.
He further claimed that Sahil had dreamed of joining the Delhi Police and had appeared for competitive examinations while also supporting his family by working with his father.
“The government must stop lying. They have fired guns at the future of India,” Gandhi said while showing the student’s alleged injuries to the media.
Renews Demand for Education Minister’s Resignation
Rahul Gandhi once again demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him responsible for the controversy surrounding the alleged NEET paper leak.
“Dharmendra Pradhan is a criminal education minister. He has to be removed. He is a symbol of the collapse of our education system. He has to go,” Gandhi said.
He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise to students affected by the alleged paper leak and the subsequent police action.
“The Prime Minister of India should apologise to the youth of India. The Education Minister should resign. The government should stop threatening our students. The government should stop lying to the people of India,” he said.
Police Deny Using Pellet Guns
The controversy stems from the July 22 “Sansad Chalo” march organised over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, during which several protesters accused security personnel of using pellet guns while dispersing demonstrators.
Delhi Police has denied the allegations, maintaining that pellet guns were not used during the operation and calling the claims false.
The protests, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), have continued in Delhi, with demonstrators demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and the resignation of the Education Minister.
The Centre has held discussions with representatives of the protesting students and announced measures to strengthen the examination system, but the agitation has continued amid demands for further action.
