Rahul Gandhi, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP), during a press conference with the detained protestors at 10 Janpath on October 14, 2026
| Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday (October 14, 2026) asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah not to stand in the way of protesting students, describing them as the voice of India.
Mr. Gandhi made the remarks after he met students, including activists of the party’s students’ wing, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), who were injured during recent protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The meeting happened at the 10, Janpath residence of Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
‘No Hindu, no Muslim’
The Opposition leader asked the students to introduce themselves, narrate their ordeal after Delhi Police personnel picked them up from the protesting sites, and then, urged the students to form a human chain by holding each others hands.
“Amit Shah ji, look at this properly. Here there is no Hindu, no Muslim, no caste, no gender. There is one voice, one protest — it is the voice of Hindustan,” he said.
“And you are standing in front of this voice and the Prime Minister ji is standing in front of this voice. I give you a suggestion — do not stand in front of this voice. No one can stand in front of this voice,” Mr. Gandhi added.
Inhuman treatment: students
During the interaction, some students recounted what they described as inhuman treatment in police custody, alleging that they were beaten, abused and hit in their private parts.
Mr. Gandhi described the students as the party’s shers and shernis (lions and lionesses) and assured them that the Congress would stand by them. He said those responsible for alleged police excesses would be held accountable, from the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah to the police constables involved in the incidents.
‘Preserve evidence’
The Congress leader also urged the students to preserve video and photographic evidence of how they are being treated in custody.
“Peaceful protest is your right. We will not allow anyone to snatch it away,” Mr. Gandhi said in a post on X, adding that the day would come when those seeking to silence democracy would face the law.
The interaction also addressed a concern within the party that while Mr. Gandhi has showcased student protesters such as Neha Bora, several NSUI and Youth Congress activists have not received similar visibility.
Published – October 14, 2026 07:27 pm IST
