New Delhi:
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to stand in the way of students protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing them as the voice of India.
Gandhi made the remarks after meeting students, including members of the Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), who were allegedly injured during recent protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The students recounted their experiences during detention and alleged that they had been subjected to harsh treatment by police. Gandhi expressed solidarity with them and assured them that the Congress would support their efforts to seek justice.
Addressing the students and referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gandhi said the protesters represented people across religious, caste and gender lines. He urged them to remain united and said their collective voice should not be suppressed.
Gandhi also asked the students to preserve video evidence of alleged police excesses. He said those responsible for any unlawful action, from senior officials to individual police personnel, should be held accountable.
The protests are part of a wider Opposition campaign challenging the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR exercise. The poll panel has faced allegations of irregularities, which remain contested.