Students allege profiling, police assault at Rahul Gandhi’s press meet
New Delhi: Protesters at a press conference addressed by Indian Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi complained of religious profiling, Islamophobic abuse and police violence during a July 20 march to Parliament.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Muslim student Farhanaaz from Uttar Pradesh alleged Delhi Police singled her out because of her name and branded her a “traitor”. “We were protesting peacefully. These police goons beat us badly. After injuring us… because of my name they judged me,” she said.
Another protester, Muskan Sharma, said she faced Islamophobic abuse as people assumed she was Muslim. She also said a Rapid Action Force officer used excessive force against her.
“My surname is Sharma. Everyone thinks I am Muslim and that’s why I am getting more abuse,” she said.
Rahul Gandhi said the students had committed no crime by demanding accountability over NEET irregularities. “They weren’t doing violence. Yet they were beaten, assaulted and threatened,” he said, blaming Indian Home Minister Amit Shah for the crackdown.
Other students, including Riya Ahir and Nutan Toppo, also alleged harassment and police firing during the protest. Gandhi called the education system “collapsing” and said demanding reforms was “not a crime”.
