Government inaction forced Rahul Gandhi to protest: Kharge

Administration inaction forced Rahul Gandhi to protest: Kharge Updated – August 21, 2026 09: 12 pm IST – KALABURAGI.

Key points

• Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, interacting with media persons at Kalaburagi airport on Friday.
• During a brief interaction with media persons upon his arrival at Kalaburagi airport, Mr.
• The administration had assured that it would take action against the erring officers.
• Responding briefly to a query on his stance on Vande Mataram, Mr.
• He continued, The administration does not practise what it preaches.

Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, interacting with media persons at Kalaburagi airport on Friday. Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI.

Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday backed Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's protest seeking the registration of an FIR against the police officers who allegedly fired pellets at students protesting peacefully at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on July 20, saying that administration inaction had forced Mr. Gandhi to take to the streets.

During a brief interaction with media persons upon his arrival at Kalaburagi airport, Mr. Kharge remarked the administration had assured that action would be taken against the erring police officers. He remarked they had failed to register an FIR, and expressed robust backing for Mr. Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. This person were protesting outside the Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi seeking registration of the FIR.

"The administration is not filing an FIR. The administration had assured that it would take action against the erring officers. Nevertheless, no FIR has been filed against anyone. Since of this, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are sitting in protest there. Just before leaving Delhi, I spoke to them and asked them to agitate peacefully, " Mr. Kharge remarked.

He continued, "The administration does not practise what it preaches. When the administration refuses to fulfil its duties, we are forced to take such steps for the individuals and students."

Responding briefly to a query on his stance on Vande Mataram, Mr. Kharge remarked he had already clarified his position comprehensively and called on the media not to obtain confused or unnecessarily confuse others over the problem.

Taken together, the developments around government inaction forced Rahul Gandhi to protest: Kharge point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.