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 government 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 said the government had assured that action would be taken against the erring police officers. He said they had failed to register an FIR, and expressed strong support for Mr. Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, who were protesting outside the Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi seeking registration of the FIR.“The government is not filing an FIR. The government had assured that it would take action against the erring officers. However, no FIR has been filed against anyone. Because 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 said.He added, “The government does not practise what it preaches. When the administration refuses to fulfil its duties, we are forced to take such steps for the people and students.”Responding briefly to a query on his stance on Vande Mataram, Mr. Kharge said he had already clarified his position comprehensively and urged the media not to get confused or unnecessarily confuse others over the issue. Published - August 21, 2026 09:11 pm IST
