Rahul Gandhi met injured students in Delhi on Friday, after Delhi Police refused to register an FIR for assaults during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged SIR irregularities. He listened to Athira from Kerala and Ritu from Rajasthan, both of whom said they were beaten, including hit in private parts. The meeting took place amid growing concerns that police brutality could undermine democratic process.
Gandhi told the students that Delhi Police's refusal to register an FIR would not pass unchallenged. He called Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Rajasthan PCC President Govind Singh Dotasra, urging them to file FIRs over the alleged brutality. A Zero FIR had already been registered in Kerala, the Congress leader noted.
The protests, organized to demand transparency in the SIR process, saw police using lathis and batons, with some students claiming injuries to private areas. Gandhi compared the police's tactics to the 1930 Dharasana protests led by Sarojini Naidu, stating that police can break bones but cannot break a satyagraha.
Congress vows to pursue every legal avenue against the officers involved, both in state courts and through national litigation. The party has also called on the judiciary to scrutinize the police's conduct and ensure accountability.
The Delhi Police’s refusal to register an FIR has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and civil rights groups, who fear a precedent that could embolden future police violence. A court hearing is expected next month, where the allegations may be examined in detail.
Meanwhile, students who suffered injuries are awaiting medical care and legal support, with one reporting a broken wrist and another a fractured rib. The incident has sparked debate over protest rights and law enforcement's role in maintaining order.