Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday launched a fresh attack on the Centre, accusing it of pursuing a “politics of vendetta” against students by registering FIRs and carrying out detentions even after the protest over the alleged NEET paper leak had ended. He also demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi seek the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the handling of the agitation.
In a post on X, Kharge alleged that security forces used excessive force during the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), as well as during demonstrations held by students in different parts of the country. Referring to the crackdown, he said, “Narendra Modi ji, 10 days ago, your government cracked down on the youth using lathis, batons and pellet guns.” He further alleged that despite the protests ending, action against students had continued. “Now that the students have withdrawn their protest, you are acting out of a sense of vendetta by filing FIRs against them and subjecting them to forced detentions,” Kharge claimed.
The Congress chief maintained that the students had agreed to withdraw their agitation only after being assured that no punitive action would follow. However, he alleged that the governments led by the BJP had failed to honour that commitment. “The youth withdrew their agitation on the condition that no action would be taken against them; now, your governments have reneged on their own word,” he said.
Kharge also claimed that several young protesters were facing restrictions on social media, while women participants were allegedly being targeted online. He criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for not addressing Parliament on the issue, saying, “Such is the arrogance that Home Minister Amit Shah did not even step into the House of Parliament and shied away from making a statement on accountability.”
Continuing his criticism of the Centre, Kharge asserted that attempts to control the narrative would not succeed. “These tactics for saving face and protecting your image will no longer work; the youth have seen through the truth about you,” he said, before reiterating his demand to the Prime Minister: “If there is even a shred of shame left, get Amit Shah to resign.”
The Centre has not issued an immediate response to Kharge’s allegations at the time of publication.
