Kapil Sibal said that pellet guns could be used only under exceptional circumstances and questioned why the Home Minister has not addressed Parliament on the issue.
NEW DELHI — Rajya Sabha MP and veteran Lawyer Kapil Sibal on Thursday questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s silence over the alleged use of pellet guns against students during the July 20 protest march in Delhi, stating that even if authorities had taken responsibility for the action, the Home Minister must address Parliament and clarify the government’s position.
Speaking to IANS on the Parliament premises, Sibal said, “Even if the District Magistrate (DM) or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) takes responsibility, the Home Minister should still issue a statement. Why isn’t the Home Minister speaking? Because he has no answer. No one can use pellet guns without permission. Such powers are granted by the highest authorities.”
He further said that pellet guns could be used only under exceptional circumstances and questioned why the Home Minister has not addressed Parliament on the issue.
“If any situation arises, then they can use such measures. That is why the Home Minister is not coming to Parliament and has not given any statement. Some in the ruling dispensation initially rejected claims that pellet guns were used, but when it became known that they were used, the Home Minister has stayed silent. Therefore, whatever Rahul Gandhi said is true,” Sibal told IANS.
The remarks come a day after a heated exchange in Parliament over comments made by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi during a Lok Sabha debate on the anti-paper leak Bill.
During his speech in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah ordered police to fire at the protesters triggering strong objections from members of the National Democratic Alliance, who described the allegations as false and demanded an apology.
Later during the day, the Congress MP intensified attack on the Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged police excesses against students, during the July 20 protest march to Parliament.
Addressing a press conference, Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Home Minister Amit Shah from office and order a Supreme Court-monitored independent investigation into the incident.
Gandhi alleged that the Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF), both functioning under the Union Home Ministry, used excessive force against protesters, including pellet guns and lathis. He claimed the Home Minister was directly responsible for the crackdown.
According to Rahul, there were only two possibilities: either the Home Minister ordered the action or was unaware of it.
“If he ordered it, he is culpable. If he did not know, then he is incompetent. In either case, he has to go,” Gandhi said.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which spearheaded the nationwide agitation, said it had anticipated legal action against protesters even before its sit-in at Jantar Mantar concluded on 25 July.
CJP sources said its leadership met senior advocate Kapil Sibal to seek legal guidance on defending protesters facing criminal proceedings across the country.
The CJP has aannounced a nationwide legal aid cell and launched SAAKSHI, an online platform to collect evidence related to alleged police action during the protests. — With inputs from IANS
