Rahul Gandhi Stages Sit-in Outside Parliament Street Police Station Over Pellet Gun FIR Demand

Protest Erupts Over Alleged Pellet Gun Misuse

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi staged a protest outside the Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi on Friday. His primary demand was the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) concerning the alleged use of pellet guns during a student protest at Jantar Mantar.

Gandhi was accompanied by Sahil Lohbach, a student who claims to have sustained injuries from a pellet gun. Prior to his demonstration, Gandhi met with Delhi Police officials, including the DCP, to seek detailed information on the investigation and actions taken regarding the incident.

Gandhi alleged that despite a complaint from the injured student, the police had not yet registered an FIR. This stance led to the protest outside the police station.

Political Stir Intensifies at Parliament Street

Following discussions with police officials, Rahul Gandhi sat on a dharna (protest) outside the police station. News of his protest drew several senior Congress leaders to the location.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined Rahul Gandhi in the protest. The presence of prominent Congress figures such as Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Salman Khurshid, and Jairam Ramesh significantly heightened political activity in the vicinity of the Parliament Street Police Station.

Rahul Gandhi stated that an impartial inquiry into the alleged use of pellet guns by the police during the student protest is necessary, emphasizing that the injured student's complaint had not received the expected action.

The Congress party has linked the issue to student safety and police accountability, questioning the actions of the central government and the Delhi Police.

Police Assure Investigation, Gandhi Remains Steadfast

In response to Rahul Gandhi's presence, police administration made efforts to resolve the situation. The police assured that the complaint would be received and an investigation would be handed over to the Crime Branch.

However, Rahul Gandhi remained firm on his demand, deciding to continue the protest until an FIR was registered. Throughout the dharna, continuous dialogue occurred between Congress leaders and police officials.

A crowd of Congress workers and supporters also gathered around the police station, prompting the deployment of additional security forces to maintain law and order. The Parliament Street Police Station became a focal point of political activity on Friday.

Congress Emphasizes Right to Protest

This entire episode unfolds amidst the ongoing political controversy surrounding the student protest at Jantar Mantar. The Congress party accuses the police of using excessive force against the protesting students and not taking the pellet gun complaint seriously.

The party believes that registering an FIR is crucial to ensure justice for the injured student and to hold responsible officials accountable. Rahul Gandhi's protest has further politicized the matter.

Congress leaders have framed this as an issue concerning students' rights and the freedom to protest democratically, asserting that any injury to a citizen during police action warrants a fair investigation.

The police, on the other hand, have stated their willingness to accept the complaint and proceed with the investigation. The outcome of the police's action on the complaint and the extent of the investigation into the alleged pellet gun use remain to be seen.

With Priyanka Gandhi and other senior leaders joining the protest, the Congress party has signaled its intent to strongly pursue this issue at the party level. Rahul Gandhi's primary objective remains securing the registration of an FIR and ensuring an investigation into the alleged pellet gun use.