Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday warned that those responsible for the alleged police crackdown on protesters demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would face punishment, naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Kumar.
He also urged students and young people to preserve video and photographic evidence of alleged police brutality and unlawful detention.
In a post on X, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said those attempting to suppress democratic voices would eventually face justice, warning that no one would be spared.
"The day is coming when those who seek to silence the voice of our democracy will face the harsh hand of justice. Be it Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Gyanesh Kumar, or any common foot soldier," Gandhi wrote.
He also asked students and young people who had allegedly faced police brutality or unlawful detention to maintain a record of the incidents.
"I want every student and youth who has endured police brutality or unlawful detention to keep a complete record of it—video or photos—these will be essential," he added.
Reiterating the right to peaceful demonstrations, Gandhi said, "Peaceful protest is your right. We will not allow anyone to snatch it away."
Earlier on Wednesday, Gandhi addressed a press conference alongside NSUI activists who alleged that Delhi Police had beaten them during protests demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
During the press conference, Gandhi said the demonstrations represented a united voice cutting across religious, caste and gender divisions. He urged the government not to oppose the protesters.
"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," he said.
Gandhi also asked students to record alleged incidents of police action and send the evidence to the Congress, saying those responsible would be punished once the matter concluded.
"To the police personnel, I have told all the students to keep a video record and send that evidence to us. When this entire matter concludes, we will utilise all that evidence and ensure that everyone who needs to be punished is punished, from PM Narendra Modi, Gyanesh Kumar, Amit Shah, and even the constable who is raising a hand against our children," he said.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday heard a petition filed by an NSUI office-bearer seeking an independent probe into alleged assaults on protesters and members of the public during demonstrations held on October 10.
Appearing for Delhi Police, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma questioned the maintainability of the petition, arguing that the petitioner had not disclosed his association with the Congress-affiliated student organisation as required under the Delhi High Court Public Interest Litigation Rules, 2010.
The court allowed Delhi Police three weeks to file an affidavit raising preliminary objections to the petition's maintainability. The matter is scheduled to be considered next on October 16.