Rahul Gandhi presents student, alleges pellet gun use

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday publicly presented a student protester, alleging the young man suffered a severe eye injury from a pellet gun fired by security forces during a demonstration in Delhi on July 20. The claim, which Delhi Police has denied, has escalated a political controversy over the handling of student protests against an alleged national examination paper leak.

Gandhi introduced the protester, identified as Sahil, outside the residence of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. He stated that Sahil, a police recruitment aspirant who participated in the July 20 protest, was struck by a pellet while peacefully demonstrating while holding the national flag. Gandhi alleged the injury had damaged Sahil's eye and that doctors were uncertain if his vision could be restored. He said Sahil had already undergone one surgery. Speaking briefly, Sahil said he demanded justice.

The Congress leader used the incident to sharply criticize the government's approach to student grievances and its education policies. He demanded action against officials responsible for the alleged use of force and targeted Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling him a "criminal education...