Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had a brief exchange with reporters outside Parliament on Friday after being asked to respond to allegations made by the families of Delhi Police personnel injured during the July 20 Jantar Mantar protest over the alleged NEET paper leak.
As journalists sought his reaction to the press conference addressed by the families of the injured officers, Rahul Gandhi did not comment on the allegations. Instead, he turned to one of the reporters and asked, “Aap BJP ke ho kya (Are you from BJP)?” before walking away without giving a direct response.
The exchange came shortly after relatives of injured Delhi Police personnel held a media briefing in New Delhi, where they alleged that several officers were attacked while carrying out law and order duties during the protest. The families claimed the sacrifices made by police personnel had not received adequate attention and urged authorities to ensure justice for those injured in the violence.
During the press conference, the families also displayed videos which they claimed showed protesters attacking police personnel. They alleged that anti-social elements had entered the gathering and were responsible for violence against the police. According to them, several officers continue to undergo medical treatment, and they demanded strict action against those responsible for the alleged attacks.
The incident comes amid an escalating political confrontation over the events at Jantar Mantar. A day earlier, Rahul Gandhi had called for an independent, Supreme Court-monitored high-powered committee to investigate the alleged use of force against students during the protest. He sought an impartial inquiry into the police action taken during the July 20 demonstration.
The issue has also reached Parliament, with BJP MP Anurag Singh Thakur submitting a privilege notice against Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha over remarks made by the Congress leader during proceedings on July 29.
The exchange outside Parliament adds another layer to the ongoing political battle surrounding the student protests, with both the ruling BJP and the Opposition continuing to trade allegations over the handling of the demonstrations.
