New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s silence over the alleged use of pellet guns during protesting students in the capital, stating that even if authorities had taken responsibility for the action, the Home Minister should still come forward and issue statement on the matter.
Speaking to IANS on the Parliament premises, Sibal said, “Even if the District Magistrate (DM) or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) takes responsibility, the Home Minister should still issue a statement. Why isn’t the Home Minister speaking? Because he has no answer. No one can use pellet guns without permission. Such powers are granted by the highest authorities.”
He further said that pellet guns could be used only under exceptional circumstances and questioned why the Home Minister has not addressed Parliament on the issue.
“If any situation arises, then they can use such measures. That is why the Home Minister is not coming to Parliament and has not given any statement. Some in the ruling dispensation initially rejected claims that pellet guns were used, but when it became known that they were used, the Home Minister has stayed silent. Therefore, whatever Rahul Gandhi said is true,” Sibal told IANS.
A political row erupted in Parliament on Wednesday after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi made remarks during a Lok Sabha debate that drew strong objections from the NDA. The ruling alliance demanded an apology, calling his allegations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah ‘false’.
During his speech in Lok Sabha on anti-paper leak bill, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah ordered police to fire at the protesters.
Later during the day, the Congress MP intensified attack on the Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged police excesses against students, during the July 20 protest march to Parliament.
Addressing a press conference, Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove HM Shah from office and order a Supreme Court-monitored independent investigation into the incident.
Gandhi alleged that the Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF), both functioning under the Union Home Ministry, used excessive force against protesters, including pellet guns and lathis. He claimed the HM was directly responsible for the crackdown.
According to Rahul, there were only two possibilities: either the Home Minister ordered the action or was unaware of it.
“If he ordered it, he is culpable. If he did not know, then he is incompetent. In either case, he has to go,” Gandhi said.
–IANS
jk/mr
