India's Police Brutality Row: Kiren Rijiju Fires Back at Rahul

India's war of words between Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi escalated on Wednesday over the police action during recent students' protests over the NEET examination paper leak.

Policing Controversy Deepens

The tussle between the two leaders started on Tuesday when Rijiju said the Delhi Police should be praised for ensuring that no lives were lost during the protests. Gandhi criticised the remarks and accused the government of defending what he described as police “brutality” against students.

“Life & security of the citizens should be top priority for the Govt. No life was lost during the students protest on NEET Exam paper leaks despite many criminals tried to take advantage,” Rijiju said in a post on X.

Congress Regime Incidents

During Congress regime:-

1. Air Force was used to bomb Indian citizens in Mizoram.

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 19, 2026

Rijiju also referred to the Moga agitation in Punjab in 1972, the Multai farmers’ agitation in Madhya Pradesh in 1998, and police firing during protests at Sompeta and Kakarapalli in Andhra Pradesh in 2010 and 2011.

“There are many more police firing cases during Congress (regime),” Rijiju said.

Read More: Student Leader Ends 23-Day Hunger Strike After CM Announces Cancellation of JSSC-CGL Exam

Rahul Gandhi responded to Rijiju's comments, saying that the government is defending what he described as police “brutality” against students.

“Ministers of the Modi government are saying that ‘the Delhi Police should be praised’,” Gandhi said in his post on X.

मोदी सरकार के मंत्री कह रहे हैं कि “दिल्ली पुलिस की तारीफ करनी चाहिए।”

संसद से आधा किलोमीटर दूर, शांतिपूर्ण छात्रों पर पैलेट गन चली, कील लगी लाठियाँ चलीं, एक बच्चे की आँख चली गई, एक बच्ची का कान कट गया। इस बर्बरता की तारीफ करनी चाहिए?

मैं ख़ुद उन घायल बच्चों से मिला हूँ।… https://t.