Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi met National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) protesters in New Delhi on Wednesday after several students alleged that they were assaulted by Delhi Police during a demonstration. At a press conference alongside the students, Gandhi expressed support for the protesters and introduced one of the women as a “sherni,” saying she had faced violence without giving in to fear or hatred. The students claimed that they were detained while participating in a peaceful protest and that excessive force was used against them. One woman alleged that a female constable, identified by the protesters as Chanchal Yadav, grabbed her by the neck, pushed her onto a seat, scratched her face and slapped her when she resisted. According to the student, NSUI members were detained in three buses, with approximately 30 to 40 people in each vehicle. The allegations have not been independently verified, and a detailed police response to the specific claims was not immediately available.

Women Protesters Allege Physical Assault During Detention
The students alleged that the situation escalated when they attempted to leave the bus and continue their demonstration. One protester claimed that she and another female student, Athira, were taken to separate rooms near Connaught Place Police Station, where several police personnel allegedly assaulted them and struck their legs with batons. Athira, a Kerala native studying at Delhi University, alleged that she was injured during the incident and suffered damage to her ear and an injury near her eye. She also questioned the absence of a female police officer in the bus at the time of detention. Rahul Gandhi claimed that Athira had lost her hearing in one ear after being struck there. The students further raised concerns about conditions at a temporary detention facility, alleging that some minors were unable to access their mobile phones and did not have money with them. These accounts were presented by the protesters during the press conference and have not been independently confirmed.

Rahul Gandhi Urges Students to Preserve Evidence
During the interaction, Gandhi called on students to document alleged incidents of police excesses and preserve any available evidence. He urged them to record videos and share relevant material with the Opposition, saying it could help establish accountability and ensure action against those found responsible. Gandhi also referred to the diversity of the protesters, arguing that their participation reflected a united India beyond religious divisions. One student played the devotional song “Vaishnava Jana To” on a flute during the gathering and said the protesters would respond to hatred with love. The incident has brought renewed attention to allegations of excessive force during the detention of demonstrators in the national capital. The students have called attention to their alleged injuries and treatment in custody, while further details of any official inquiry or police response to these specific accusations were not immediately available. The claims will require independent verification and an appropriate investigation to establish the circumstances of the incident and determine whether any misconduct occurred.