Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Political friction reached a boiling point on August 11 as leaders from Congress and the BJP traded accusations regarding student protests in Jharkhand and a stalled Parliament. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi took aim at the Centre, demanding accountability for police conduct during student demonstrations in Ranchi. He questioned the conspicuous absence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during recent debates on education.
Gogoi pushed for answers on the alleged use of pellet guns against protesters. He suggested the Home Minister should face consequences if these claims hold weight. The Congress MP also noted that Rahul Gandhi had previously condemned the alleged lathi-charge against students. Meanwhile, the BJP launched a counter-offensive in Guwahati. Assam Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika slammed the Congress-JMM government in Jharkhand for using barbed-wire barricades, water cannons, and tear gas against peaceful demonstrators.
Hazarika claimed the state government ignored the students' legitimate demands regarding recruitment irregularities and examination paper leaks. He demanded that Rahul Gandhi explain his alleged silence on the Jharkhand crackdown. The BJP minister accused the Opposition of weaponizing Parliament disruptions for political gain. He claimed Gandhi creates chaos to prevent Amit Shah from revealing the truth. "Rahul Gandhi ji, the Hon'ble Home Minister is ready to answer every question you have raised. Now, do not flee the battlefield. Do not be afraid of debate," Hazarika said.
The debate remains bitter. Hazarika dismissed Gandhi’s claims regarding firing at Jantar Mantar as misinformation, while Gogoi questioned the Prime Minister's silence on alleged verbal abuse toward female protesters. Both sides continue to dig in. Parliament remains paralyzed as the two parties fight for the narrative.
Updated at 11th August 2026 at 6:00pm
Gogoi pushed his critique further, noting the Opposition had pressed for the Education Minister to appear in Parliament for 15 days before the government finally tabled a debate toward the session's end. He also pointed to allegations of theft involving private donations as an issue ripe for scrutiny amid the ongoing stalemate.
Hazarika took his accusations against the Congress leader to a new level, alleging that the crackdown on Jharkhand students happened under Rahul Gandhi's direct orders, though he offered no evidence to back the claim. The minister also insisted that the BJP has already hardened its legislative stance against paper leaks, arguing that the government has met its obligations while the Opposition continues to stall progress.
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