Delhi Police Face Protests and Rahul Gandhi Criticism Over Jantar Mantar Allegations
Delhi Police and Union Home Minister Amit Shah faced direct political challenges after a female journalist accused a police officer of groping her and fleeing at Jantar Mantar. Hundreds of demonstrators and media workers staged a sit-in demanding the registration of a First Information Report, according to telegraphindia.com. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared videos and pictures on X highlighting the standoff and pointing to broader allegations of police misconduct against women protesters.
The confrontation underscores mounting friction between law enforcement agencies in the capital and civil rights demonstrators. While media reports put Friday’s detention count at around 1,000, Saturday’s protest drew hundreds of journalists demanding police accountability.
Rahul Gandhi Challenges Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Rahul Gandhi directed his criticism straight at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, noting that the Delhi Police fall under the Ministry of Home Affairs. “Amit Shah ji, where are you? You have to answer for this,” Gandhi wrote in his post on X. He questioned why a government would fear registering even a single woman’s complaint and accused the force of raising hands against students and women gripped by fear for their safety.
The Congress leader highlighted specific grievances from Saturday’s demonstration, including claims that cameras were snatched and journalists were dragged from the site. He stated that police officers had engaged in disgusting misconduct with women during previous protests, arguing that accountability has stalled despite clear video evidence.
Protesters and Student Leaders Condemn Police Force
Former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union president Aishe Ghosh and Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke condemned the Delhi Police action at Jantar Mantar. Ghosh stated that the movement had entered a new phase, while Dipke accused the force of actively suppressing peaceful dissent. Demonstrations have increasingly targeted police tactics following a series of high-profile incidents involving unarmed female protesters.
These tensions build on earlier controversies, including an allegation that Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba slapped a female demonstrator during a Cockroach Janata Party protest on July 20, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific incident triggered the protests at Jantar Mantar?
A female journalist accused a police officer of groping her and fleeing the scene at Jantar Mantar, prompting hundreds of journalists and demonstrators to stage a sit-in demanding an FIR.
How many people were detained during the demonstrations?
Media reports placed Friday’s detention count at approximately 1,000 individuals as security forces cleared protest sites.
Which political figures and activists have condemned the police actions?
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, former JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh, and Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke all voiced strong condemnation of the police response and called for accountability.
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