New Delhi [India], October 16 (ANI): Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday alleged that Delhi Police was refusing to register an FIR over the alleged assault on students, claiming that two women, Athira from Kerala and Ritu from Rajasthan, along with others, were beaten by the police.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said he had spoken to Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Govind Singh Dotasra. He added that a Zero FIR had already been registered in Keralam and said the party would pursue legal action against the officers concerned in Kerala, Rajasthan and the courts.
“Two young women, Athira from Kerala and Ritu from Rajasthan, along with many others, were beaten by Delhi Police. I have spoken to Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Rajasthan PCC President Govind Singh Dotasra. A Zero FIR has already been registered in Kerala. We will pursue every legal route against the officers responsible, in Kerala, in Rajasthan and in the courts,” he wrote.
“Brutality by Amit Shah’s Delhi Police will not go unchecked,” Rahul Gandhi added.
Delhi Police is refusing to register an FIR on the assault of our students. Two young women, Athira from Kerala and Ritu from Rajasthan, along with many others, were beaten by Delhi Police. I have spoken to Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Rajasthan PCC President Govind Singh Dotasra. A Zero FIR has already been registered in Kerala. We will pursue every legal route against the officers responsible, in Kerala, in Rajasthan and in the courts. Brutality by Amit Shah's Delhi Police will not go unchecked. In 1930, at Dharasana, Sarojini Naidu led unarmed satyagrahis into police lathis. Not one of them raised a hand. The world watched. Police can break bones. They cannot break a satyagraha. India's youth, especially young women, are fearless, determined and united. They are standing up for our democracy, and I stand with them.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 16, 2026
Referring to the 1930 Dharasana Satyagraha, Rahul Gandhi recalled that Sarojini Naidu had led unarmed satyagrahis into police lathis and that none of them had retaliated.
“Police can break bones. They cannot break a satyagraha,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi also said that India’s youth, particularly young women, were fearless, determined and united in standing up for democracy, adding that he stood with them.
“India's youth, especially young women, are fearless, determined and united. They are standing up for our democracy, and I stand with them,” he said.
Earlier, Gandhi on Wednesday accused Delhi Police of assaulting student protesters and warned the Centre against suppressing their voices, as the Congress stepped up its criticism over alleged police excesses during demonstrations against electoral roll revision.
Addressing a gathering of protesters in Delhi, Gandhi said the demonstration represented a collective voice that transcended religion, caste and gender, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah not to stand against it.
"As I said in my press conference, this is India. Amit Shah ji, take a good look at this. There is no Hindu here, no Muslim, no one of any specific caste; there is no woman, no man. There is one voice, one protest. It is the voice of India, and you are standing against this voice—the Prime Minister is standing against this voice. I suggest to you: do not stand against this voice. No one can stand against this voice," Gandhi said.
He also called on student protesters to document alleged police misconduct, promising that the evidence would be used to seek accountability. (ANI)
