Rahul Gandhi Supports Injured Students Amid Protests Against Election Commissioner

In a recent show of support for injured students, Rahul Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow their voices to be heard. Following protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities, Gandhi met with affected students and promised accountability for police actions. He emphasized the need for unity among protesters, representing diverse backgrounds, and criticized the government's response to peaceful demonstrations. The BJP countered Gandhi's claims, asserting that the right to protest does not include unlawful behavior. This ongoing conflict highlights the tensions surrounding electoral integrity and the rights of citizens to voice their concerns.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 14, 2026, 15:48 IST

Gandhi's Call for Support

Gandhi with NSUI president Vinod Jakhar, content creator Ramit Verma and other protesters allegedly injured in recent police action. (Photo:PTI)

New Delhi, Oct 14: Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to refrain from obstructing the protesting students, whom he regards as the voice of the nation. This statement comes as the Congress and BJP exchanged accusations regarding police actions against demonstrators.

Gandhi's comments followed a meeting with injured students, including members of the Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), at his residence on 10 Janpath.

The injuries were sustained during protests aimed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, concerning alleged discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Expressing solidarity with the students, Gandhi assured them that the Congress party would seek accountability for the alleged misconduct, targeting those responsible from the highest government officials to police officers.

“The Prime Minister is standing against this voice. Amit Shah is also opposing them. I advise the PM not to stand against this voice. No one can suppress them,” he stated.

Some students shared their experiences of what they termed “inhumane” treatment by police during their detention. Gandhi encouraged them to keep video evidence of the incidents and to share it with the Congress party.

“Once this situation concludes, we will ensure justice is served and those who harmed our students will be held accountable, from Narendra Modi and Amit Shah to the constables who assaulted our children,” he asserted.

Gandhi also highlighted the importance of unity among the protesters, emphasizing that they represent diverse groups across religious, caste, and gender lines.

During the meeting, he commended an injured female student for her bravery in the face of violence. Another student played Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite hymn, Vaishnava Jana To, on a flute, conveying that love would triumph over hatred.

Earlier, Gandhi criticized the government after leaders from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were placed in judicial custody for five days.

He remarked that peacefully displaying the national flag at Jantar Mantar should not be considered a crime and labeled their detention as an act of “cowardice,” asserting that the protest site belongs to the public.

The BJP responded by accusing Gandhi of misleading the public, insisting that the constitutional right to protest does not permit unlawful actions.

In a social media statement, BJP national media convenor Ashish Usha Agarwal noted that Jantar Mantar had been officially de-notified as a designated protest area following legal procedures.

He contended that public spaces should not be transformed into political arenas and emphasized that democracy is governed by the Constitution, not by street protests.

Das, Ranka, and other CJP members entered Jantar Mantar on Tuesday despite prohibitory orders, displaying the Tricolor and chanting slogans demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the SIR.

According to police, Das and Ranka were remanded for allegedly breaching their peace bonds and trespassing at the site, which had been de-notified on Sunday.