NEET Protest: Rahul shows injured Student, seeks action over Pellet Gun use

NEW DELHI: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday intensified the Congress’ attack on the Centre over the NEET paper leak controversy, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and alleging that a student protester suffered serious injuries after being hit by a pellet during the July 20 protests in the national capital.

Addressing the media outside Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s residence, Rahul Gandhi presented 19-year-old Sahil, a Delhi University student, who claimed he was injured while participating in a peaceful demonstration. Gandhi alleged that security personnel fired pellet ammunition during the protest and displayed the student’s injuries, claiming that one of his eyes had been severely damaged.

Describing Pradhan as a “criminal education minister” and “a symbol of the collapse of India’s education system”, Gandhi said the minister should be removed from office over repeated examination paper leak controversies. He also demanded action against those responsible for the alleged use of force against students and called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise to protesters.

According to Gandhi, Sahil had earlier appeared for the SSC Delhi Police Constable recruitment examination, which he claimed was affected by a paper leak. He said students were protesting peacefully to demand accountability and reforms in the examination system.

In a post on social media, Gandhi reiterated that Sahil was shot in the face while carrying the National Flag during the protest and warned that the student could permanently lose vision in one eye. He said the Congress stands with students seeking transparency and accountability in public examinations.

Sahil, who has undergone one eye surgery and is awaiting another, said he is seeking justice. He was initially treated at Lady Hardinge Medical College before being shifted to Safdarjung Hospital and later to the AIIMS Trauma Centre.

The allegations have triggered fresh political controversy over the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” protest. However, Delhi Police has denied using pellet guns against demonstrators, while the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has not issued a response regarding the allegations involving its Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel.