Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 1: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) went into "emergency mode" after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a debate in Parliament earlier this week, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi claimed in an exclusive interview with The Indian Express.

Gogoi alleged that the ruling party was unsettled by the Opposition's sharp criticism over the alleged police excesses during the student march to Parliament on July 20. Thousands of students and activists had marched demanding the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him responsible for the alleged leaks of competitive examination question papers, including the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3.

Claiming that the government feared political repercussions, Gogoi said the BJP became "extremely nervous and anxious" and believed that allowing the discussion to continue would prove politically damaging.

"That is why we witnessed the disruption in Parliament," he said.

Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted on Wednesday following a heated confrontation between the treasury benches and the Opposition. According to Gogoi, Rahul Gandhi's speech, which sharply criticised the government and Amit Shah over the alleged police action against student protesters, was repeatedly interrupted.

"Unfortunately, the Leader of the Opposition could not even complete his speech," Gogoi said.

The Congress leader further argued that the level of force allegedly used by the Delhi Police—including claims by Opposition parties that pellet guns were fired at close range and lathis fitted with nails were used—could not have occurred without the knowledge and approval of the Union Home Minister.

"The Opposition's responsibility is to raise the concerns of the people in Parliament. Young people demanded accountability from the Education Minister and the Home Minister, and Rahul Gandhi clearly articulated those demands," Gogoi said.

The protests were later withdrawn after an agreement was reached between the government and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Subsequently, police registered cases against several protesters, alleging violence against security personnel.

However, Gogoi questioned why no action had been initiated against police personnel accused of using excessive force.

He referred to allegations that a police constable assaulted a woman with a baton, another officer slapped a woman protester, and that some police personnel allegedly removed their name tags to avoid identification, reportedly citing the summer heat.

Responding to the government's accusation that the Opposition deliberately disrupted Parliament, particularly during the passage of the anti-exam paper leaks Bill, Gogoi dismissed the legislation as inadequate.

"How is that an important Bill? It is merely an amendment to a law passed two years ago, and despite that, the NEET paper leak still occurred," he said.

Gogoi also said that the Opposition plans to continue targeting the government during the remaining weeks of the Monsoon Session on several issues, including allegations regarding the theft of donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.