NEW DELHI: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra adopted contrasting approaches during a nearly seven-hour protest in Delhi on Friday, demanding registration of an FIR over the alleged pellet-gun injuries suffered by 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab.
By AALIMI NATION | National Affairs Desk
Rahul Gandhi remained the public face of the protest, sitting outside the Parliament Street Police Station and refusing to leave until the case was registered. Priyanka Gandhi, meanwhile, took a more conciliatory approach, holding discussions with senior police officials and Congress leaders who are lawyers.
The case was eventually registered at around 7 pm, according to the report, bringing the prolonged demonstration to an end.
Rahul Gandhi Leads Sit-In
Rahul Gandhi arrived with Lochab, his mother and the student's lawyer to seek registration of an FIR concerning injuries allegedly sustained during a July 20 student protest.
According to the account, police initially told Gandhi that the matter was connected to a Supreme Court-appointed committee examining the police action during the protests, and that an FIR could not be registered at that stage.
Gandhi rejected the explanation and continued to press for a case, including presenting Lochab's medical documents.
After leaving the police office, Gandhi and the student's family decided to stage a sit-in.
Several senior Congress leaders subsequently joined the protest.
Priyanka Gandhi Takes a Different Approach
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the demonstration but soon adopted a different strategy.
While Rahul Gandhi remained outside and continued the protest, Priyanka held discussions with senior Congress leaders, including Randeep Surjewala and Salman Khurshid, both lawyers.
She also met senior police officials to discuss the legal and procedural aspects of the complaint.
Lochab's lawyer presented medical and other documents in support of the request for an FIR.
The contrasting roles allowed the Congress leadership to combine public pressure with behind-the-scenes negotiation.
FIR Registered After Seven Hours
After approximately seven hours of demonstrations, the case was finally registered around 7 pm.
Congress described the development as a victory for its campaign on student rights and accountability.
The BJP, however, criticised the protest and accused the Congress of attempting to create disorder and undermining established legal procedures.
The July 20 Incident
The dispute relates to a student march towards Parliament on July 20, during protests concerning NEET and other examination-related issues.
Lochab has alleged that he suffered pellet-gun injuries during the protest.
The Delhi Police has disputed allegations concerning the use of pellet guns against the protesters, while the broader police action during the demonstrations is being examined by a Supreme Court-appointed committee.
The allegations concerning the circumstances of Lochab's injuries therefore remain subject to investigation.
A Familiar Role for Priyanka Gandhi
The episode also reflects Priyanka Gandhi's increasingly visible role in Congress protests involving students and issues of alleged police action.
According to the report, she had previously participated in a Congress march towards the Prime Minister's residence following the July 20 confrontation, after which party leaders were detained.
Friday's protest again showed the different political styles of the Gandhi siblings: Rahul Gandhi applying visible political pressure from the street, while Priyanka Gandhi worked through dialogue and negotiation.
The Bigger Political Message
The episode highlights how a legal demand can quickly become a political confrontation.
For the Congress, securing the FIR allowed the party to reinforce its argument that the allegations surrounding the student protest should be formally investigated.
For the BJP and the authorities, the episode raises questions about whether political pressure should influence the normal police process.
The next significant question will be what the investigation establishes about the alleged injuries and the circumstances in which they occurred.
