Rahul Gandhi Alleges Police Brutality Against Women Protesters Driven by Modi and Shah’s Fear for Democracy

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of undermining democracy and instigating Delhi Police brutality against women activists. During a meeting with female protesters, victims detailed systemic sexual harassment, physical assault, and illegal detentions by law enforcement during recent demonstrations in the capital. Gandhi asserted that police aggression reflects a panic-stricken administration attempting to suppress public dissent.

RMN News Democracy Desk
New Delhi | October 17, 2026

Rahul Gandhi Denounces Governance Under Modi and Shah

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of running an autocratic administration that fundamentally rejects democratic principles. Speaking during an interaction with female student activists and protesters in New Delhi, Gandhi stated that top government officials are operating out of fear of losing political power.

Gandhi asserted that neither Narendra Modi nor Amit Shah believes in equal rights or democratic governance, describing their political conduct as destructive to constitutional norms. He argued that the administration’s anxiety over potential electoral defeat manifests as state-sanctioned violence against citizens exercising their right to protest. According to Gandhi, this panic trickles down from top political leadership to police command, culminating in aggressive tactics by constables on the ground.

Protesters Detail Accounts of Police Brutality and Sexual Harassment

During the interaction, female activists shared testimonies of physical assault and sexual harassment allegedly committed by Delhi Police personnel during demonstrations in Delhi. The activists, who had gathered to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over electoral transparency issues, reported severe law enforcement overreach.

Complainants highlighted the actions of an officer, who allegedly instructed personnel to target female protesters inappropriately and use explicit verbal abuse to humiliate and disperse them. Victims recounted instances of police officers grabbing their clothes, striking them in private areas, pinches, and causing severe physical injuries. One activist documented a fractured ankle caused by excessive force, while another reported an officer placing a boot on her neck during detention.

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The activists further noted that police forces violated legal norms, including rules prohibiting the detention of women after sunset under Section 43(5) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. They alleged that officers removed nameplates to obscure their identities, forcibly dragged women into buses, and locked them inside police stations without providing adequate time or privacy to adjust torn clothing.

Systemic Erosion of Democratic Institutions

The discussion extended beyond immediate police misconduct to broader systemic issues affecting governance. Activists linked their street protests to ongoing grievances regarding the privatization of the education system, paper leaks in national entrance examinations such as NEET, and legislative changes impacting electoral oversight, including the 2023 Election Commission laws.

Rahul Gandhi emphasized that the struggle for democracy is occurring across multiple spheres, including educational institutions, workplaces, and public spaces. He contended that the privatization of education serves to weaken democratic engagement by restricting equitable access. Gandhi reiterated that peaceful resistance remains essential to protecting constitutional guarantees against executive overreach.

Activists Outline Key Demands

The female complainants presented three primary demands during their meeting with the Leader of the Opposition:

1. The immediate removal and resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
2. An absolute end to inhumane, illegal, and violent treatment of peaceful protesters and student activists.
3. Decisive legal and administrative action against police officers involved in physical assault and sexual harassment.

Gandhi encouraged the activists to compile video evidence and detailed documentation of the incidents, promising support in filing legal cases to ensure accountability for offending officers.