‘This is utterly disgraceful’: Shashi Tharoor slams police lathicharge after meeting injured student protesters

"This is Utterly Disgraceful": Shashi Tharoor Condemns Police Action Against Student Protesters Theindiapostdaily.com – Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has

“This is Utterly Disgraceful”: Shashi Tharoor Condemns Police Action Against Student Protesters

Theindiapostdaily.com – Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticized the Delhi Police’s response to student demonstrators, declaring the situation “This is utterly disgraceful”. On Tuesday, July 21, the parliamentarian met with injured protesters and called the use of force against peaceful demonstrators a clear violation of democratic values. His statement came following intense clashes during the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) “Chalo Sansad” march, where authorities deployed tear gas shells and conducted baton charges to halt thousands of protesters attempting to reach Parliament.

Tharoor Meets Injured Students on Ground

Through a series of social media posts, Tharoor shared his observations after meeting several students who described what they alleged was police brutality during Monday’s protest.

“On the ground, listening to students recount the police brutality they’ve endured. Story after story. Injury after injury. I met a young boy whose face was covered in bandages as he quietly described what had happened to him. No democracy should answer peaceful protest with violence. This is utterly disgraceful,”

Tharoor wrote in his emotional message.

The Congress leader later announced he was traveling from Jantar Mantar to Mandir Marg Police Station to meet detained party colleagues.

“Enroute from Jantar Mantar to Mandir Marg Police Station where my party colleagues are being detained. I don’t know till what point I’ll be allowed to go but I will make sure I stand with each and every colleague of mine trying to protect our democracy,”

he stated.

NEET Controversy Protests Continue

The CJP-led agitation is demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, education system reforms, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on July 18, has continued his hunger strike from the hospital. Hundreds of protesters gathered again at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday to continue the movement despite Monday’s police crackdown.

The violence erupted after protesters attempted to march towards Parliament during the “Chalo Sansad” rally. Delhi Police confirmed it has registered five FIRs in connection with alleged stone-pelting, vandalism, and unlawful assembly. According to police, more than 118 police personnel and around 60 protesters were injured in the clashes.

Authorities said they are examining over 250 videos, including CCTV, drone, and body-camera footage, and are investigating whether platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram were used to mobilise participants before the violence. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Allegations and Responses on Both Sides

Students who addressed a press conference alleged that police assaulted protesters, dragged demonstrators, and used excessive force while dispersing the crowd. The CJP also accused Delhi Police of brutality during the operation.

“Police have been absolutely brutal. They have fractured the skulls of many students who were protesting here. Even a 15-year-old girl was brutally beaten up by a male police officer,”

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged.

Delhi Police has defended its actions, alleging that protesters attacked security personnel with stones and other objects, attempted to breach barricades, and vandalised government property. Police maintained that force was used after demonstrators tried to break through multiple security barricades erected to prevent the march towards Parliament.

Later, in a post on X, Tharoor condemned the detention of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and other opposition leaders during their protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence.

“The forceful detention of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and other Opposition leaders during their protest is a severe affront to our democracy. Physical aggression against a peaceful protest is completely unjustifiable. An accountable government listens to dissent; it does not silence it through police action. This is not the India our Constitution envisages. We must never allow this appalling conduct to become the new normal.”

Tharoor’s remarks came hours after Delhi Police detained Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav, and several other opposition leaders who staged a dharna outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg. The protesters demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the police action against student protesters. The Opposition has accused the government of suppressing dissent and refusing to allow a discussion in Parliament on the controversy, while the Centre has defended the police action.