Jantar Mantar protest: How Modi govt is burying questions on police brutality

“Not a single person died, not a single person suffered a broken bone. Not a single protester is admitted to the hospital with a serious injury.”

Rijiju also alleged that the protests had been infiltrated by “criminals” and political groups, including the Aam Aadmi Party, the Bhim Army and the Samajwadi Party. He claimed that despite the presence of thousands of protesters and attempts to “provoke” the crowd, there had been no deaths.

The minister went on to contrast the July protests with demonstrations during previous Congress-led governments, claiming that “thousands of people” had been killed during protests then, and praised the Delhi Police for its handling of the Jantar Mantar agitation.

“The Delhi administration deserves praise because not a single lathi was used during the protest. They were stopped only when they forcefully marched towards Parliament,” he said.

The remarks triggered a sharp backlash from students, the Congress and the CJP.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the government of seeking praise for police action in which, he alleged, pellet guns and lathis studded with nails were used against peaceful protesters.

“Half a kilometre from Parliament, pellet guns were fired at peaceful students, lathis studded with nails were used, one child’s eye was lost, one girl’s ear was severed. Should we praise this brutality?” Gandhi said, referring to the police action on 20 July.