‘I Will Never Apologise To The BJP Or The RSS’: Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress leader and LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday refused to apologise for his remarks in the Lok Sabha, where he accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of allowing police to use force against students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak. Reiterating his demand, the Leader of the Opposition urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Shah from office.

His comments triggered a heated exchange in the Lok Sabha during the debate on the anti-paper leak Bill. NDA MPs demanded that Gandhi apologise and substantiate his allegations, while Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reminded him that any accusation made in the House must be supported by evidence.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi later in the day, Gandhi stood by his remarks.

"Sack Amit Shah, that's my advice to PM Modi," he said.

Gandhi claimed he had been told he could continue his speech in Parliament if he apologised, but said he refused.

"Rajnath Singh and Kiren Rijiju were allowed to speak more than once. I was told that if I apologised, I could continue speaking. I will never apologise to the BJP or the RSS," he said.

He argued that, as the Leader of the Opposition, it was his responsibility to raise issues of national importance. According to Gandhi, the police action against students protesting the alleged NEET paper leak was the country's most pressing issue.

"For me, the biggest issue today is that our students—young people who ask questions and think independently—were treated brutally," he said.

Gandhi repeated his allegations that pellet guns were used against protesters, claiming one student was likely to lose vision in one eye.

"One boy who was hit by a pellet gun will most likely lose his eye. I have seen his AIIMS medical certificate, which shows he was struck by pellets," he said.

He also alleged that police used electric shock batons and nail-studded sticks during the crackdown, including against women and minors.

"Where did the police get the idea of beating women and minors with nail-studded sticks?" he asked, adding that he personally witnessed a police officer slap a protester.

Gandhi further claimed that he saw Amit Shah giving instructions to police officers during the protest.

"When we were at Parliament House, I saw Amit Shah calling police officers. I also saw Jitendra Singh receiving repeated calls from him. It was clear he knew what was happening," Gandhi alleged.

The allegations drew sharp reactions from the ruling party. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju challenged Gandhi to provide evidence for his claims.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh rejected the allegations, calling them false. He said no bullets were fired and no orders were issued to shoot at protesters.

The controversy unfolded shortly before the Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, by voice vote.

The legislation introduces stricter penalties for exam-related malpractice, including paper leaks, with a maximum punishment of 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of ₹50 lakh for those convicted.