‘Don’t Come in Way of Protesting Students, They Are India’s Voice’: Rahul Gandhi to PM Modi

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) activists who alleged that they were assaulted by Delhi Police during protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah not to stand against what he described as the collective voice of India, and warned that those responsible for the alleged violence would face accountability.

'They Are India’s Voice'

Rahul Gandhi Warns PM Modi and Amit Shah

Addressing the government, Gandhi said the protesters represented a united voice that should not be opposed.

“There is one voice, one protest. It is the voice of India,” he said, adding that both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister were standing against that voice. He asserted that no one could suppress the collective demand being raised by the demonstrators.

Gandhi also called on students to preserve video recordings of alleged police action and share them with the party. He said the evidence would be examined after the matter concluded and that action should be taken against everyone found responsible, including senior political leaders and police personnel.

NSUI Protesters Allege Assault During Police Detention

The press conference featured accounts from NSUI activists who alleged that they were assaulted while being detained during Tuesday’s demonstrations in Delhi.

A woman protester alleged that a female constable, identified by her as Chanchal Yadav, grabbed her by the neck, scratched her face and slapped her inside a police bus. Another protester, a Delhi University student from Kerala identified as Athira, alleged that she suffered an ear injury after being struck by police personnel. These allegations have not been independently established in the reports cited.

Another NSUI activist, identified as Arjun, alleged that police personnel punched and kicked him during detention. He also claimed that four minors who were present in Connaught Place but were not participating in the protest were beaten. The allegations formed part of the wider controversy over police handling of anti-CEC demonstrations in the capital.

Why Are NSUI Members Protesting Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar?

The NSUI demonstrations are part of a wider opposition campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The protesters have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging electoral malpractice and raising concerns over the revision process.

On Tuesday, NSUI activists gathered near Gate 7 of Rajiv Chowk Metro station before police detained several protesters. The student organisation subsequently staged a sit-in outside the Connaught Place police station, alleging excessive force against its members, particularly women.

The controversy has also reached the courts. The Delhi High Court heard a petition seeking an independent investigation into alleged assaults during the protests and allowed the Centre to file preliminary objections regarding the petition’s maintainability. The matter is scheduled for further consideration on October 16.

The latest remarks by Gandhi add to the Congress-led opposition’s criticism of the government and police action against protesters. The allegations of assault, however, remain claims made by the protesters, while the legal proceedings are ongoing.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 14, 2026 03:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).