Congress leader raises alleged police assault on NSUI protesters; claims injured student has lost hearing in one ear

 NEW DELHI: Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged police assault on National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) activists during protests, demanding accountability for the action against the students.

Addressing a press conference on October 14, Gandhi presented several students who were allegedly injured during the police action linked to demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

“Look around you. This is India. There is no Hindu, Muslim, caste, woman or man here. There is only one voice, the voice of India. You are standing against this voice. The Prime Minister is also standing against this voice. My advice is: do not stand against this voice. Nobody can stand against it,” Gandhi said, addressing Modi and Shah.

Gandhi highlighted the case of Athira, a student at Delhi University from Kerala, claiming that she had lost hearing in one ear following the alleged assault. Referring to an earlier case involving a student who reportedly suffered an eye injury, he said the latest incident raised serious concerns over the treatment of protesters.

Athira alleged that there was no woman police officer on the bus in which protesters were being taken after their detention on Tuesday. She claimed that after she questioned the absence of a woman officer during the detention of female protesters, the bus stopped outside the Connaught Place police station, where she was repeatedly struck on the face. She alleged that the assault injured her eye and ear and affected her hearing.

Gandhi also urged students to document incidents of alleged police brutality and preserve evidence. He said he had asked protesters to record videos and share them with the Congress, adding that the material would be used to seek action against those found responsible.

The press conference came amid protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The alleged assault on NSUI activists has added to the political confrontation surrounding the demonstrations.

A separate response from Delhi Police to the allegations was not available at the time of reporting.