Published Aug 10, 2026 | 7:11 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 10, 2026 | 7:11 PM
Gandhi said Shah must answer for the violence and that, regardless of whether the police used force with or without his order, he must resign.
Synopsis: The Congress has set three ‘non-negotiable’ demands for the remaining two days of the Monsoon Session, including an explanation from Home Minister Amit Shah on the use of pellet guns against protesting students in Delhi and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It has also demanded a parliamentary discussion on allegations of theft involving donations and valuables associated with the Ram Temple trust in Ayodhya. Rahul Gandhi said Shah must accept responsibility for the use of force and resign.
The Congress has issued three ‘non-negotiable’ demands to the Union government for the remaining two days of the Monsoon Session: Union Home Minister Amit Shah must state whether he authorised the firing of pellet guns at protesting students at Jantar Mantar in Delhi; Prime Minister Narendra Modi must apologise for the treatment of the students; and answer before Parliament questions about the alleged theft of donations and other valuables associated with the Ram Temple trust in Ayodhya.
AICC President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi issued the demands while addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters at Indira Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday, 10 August. AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal was also present.
“Our first demand concerns the Union Home Minister and the Delhi Police. The police committed atrocities against the youth: they used pellet guns, fired tear gas, used water cannons, and beat them with electric batons. They did many things brutally against the children and demonstrated this kind of cruelty,” Kharge said.
“We wanted a limited discussion on this matter. We wanted the Home Minister to come and address the issue. We also wanted an early discussion on how the paper leaks occurred. But for 14–15 days, they said nothing about it.”
Gandhi said Shah must answer for the violence and that, regardless of whether the police used force with or without his order, he must resign.
“If he ordered it, he is guilty of having our children shot. And if he did not know that it was happening, then he is incompetent. Either way, he should go,” he said.
Gandhi also condemned the use of lathis and water cannons against student protesters in Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi on Monday.
“We condemn any violence against peacefully protesting students. It does not matter where it is happening. We condemn it. We are against it. We do not recommend it. We do not support it,” he said.
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— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 10, 2026
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Kharge alleged that people appointed to the Ram Temple trust in Ayodhya had been trusted by Modi and said the Prime Minister had a major role in its establishment.
“People have faith in the Ram Temple and in Ayodhya,” Kharge said, demanding answers over allegations concerning the disappearance of donations and other valuables.
“Where did the bricks go? Where did the silver go? Where did the money go? Where did the Ramcharitmanas go?” he asked.
Kharge said the Prime Minister should explain what had happened and accused him of remaining silent on the matter.
“If such a major incident takes place at a place of such deep religious faith, and the Prime Minister does not say anything for 15 days, does not even open his mouth on the matter or show any willingness to speak about it, then it is deeply concerning,” Kharge said.
“These three issues are non-negotiable for us.”
Gandhi alleged that people close to the Prime Minister had stolen from the temple.
He rejected the government’s position that the Opposition should allow the Home Minister to speak in Parliament without disruption.
“For 15 days, neither of them has had the courage—and I am saying courage, and stressing courage—to come to the House. Neither of them has had the guts to own up to what they have done,” Gandhi said.
“We are not interested in his fantasy conversations. We are interested in whether he authorised or did not authorise the shooting of our children. From day one, this has been our position. Our position has not changed.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
