Pellet guns in Delhi, AK-47s in Bihar': Rahul on 'jaanleva' system against students

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday mounted a fresh attack on PM Narendra Modi-led Centre, alleging that the "entire system is downright deadly against students."His remarks came in the backdrop of over a month-long student agitation that recently concluded following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union education minister.Referring to reports of alleged police action during a student protest in Bihar, Rahul Gandhi shared a report and said, "News is coming in that AK-47 bullets have been fired at protesting students in Bihar, and hundreds of students have been arrested with FIRs being filed against them."He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, "Mr Modi, where did your promise go that no FIRs would be filed against students and they would be released? Instead, deadly attacks and brutality are being unleashed on them."Rahul also referred to the July 20 students' march to Parliament from Jantar Mantar, during which clashes were reported between protesters and police. He alleged, "In Delhi, pellet guns were fired at students, and in Bihar, AK-47s. Whether it's Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, or Delhi—the pattern is the same everywhere."Questioning the Modi government's efforts to address irregularities in examinations, Rae Bareli MP said, "I've said it before: this government is dishonest. Real reform is beyond their capability. They'll backtrack on their words and use every trick in the book to suppress students' voices."He added, "Mr Modi, apologize to the country's students. And take action against those who attacked and crushed the students—not against the students themselves."Meanwhile, responding to the Congress' demand that the Prime Minister and the Union home minister apologise over the alleged police action, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "I have heard that FIRs are still being filed against students in Bihar and Bengal. I have heard this, but it is not yet verified. So, what is the use then?"Nearly 200 students, who were allegedly detained following the July 22 and July 25 protests demanding the resignation of former Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak, remained in custody for more than 24 hours at police stations across the city, advocates claimed.Meanwhile, a police personnel in Bihar's Siwan district was suspended for allegedly firing an AK-47 rifle during the violence that broke out during the July 25 bandh.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.

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