Congress Protests Amit Shah’s Pune Visit, Workers Detained by Police; BJP Holds Counter-Demonstration

Pune, 1st August 2026: Congress workers staged a protest on Friday against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the city, alleging that he was responsible for the police action against students during a recent protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

The protest coincided with Shah’s visit to present the Lokmanya Tilak National Award to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at a ceremony organised by the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust. The Pune City District Congress opposed the award being presented by Shah, alleging that it was inappropriate in light of the police action against protesting students.

According to the Congress, the party had sought permission to stage a demonstration but was initially denied. Police later allowed the protest at a location beyond a one-kilometre radius of the event venue.

Holding placards with slogans against Shah and the Union government, Congress workers raised slogans and criticised the alleged use of lathi-charge, tear gas and pellet guns on students during the Jantar Mantar protest.

Pune City Congress (East) president Prashant Jagtap alleged that students protesting peacefully had been subjected to excessive police action and held Shah, as Union Home Minister, politically responsible. He also referred to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s demand for Shah’s resignation over the incident.

Congress (West) president Deepti Chaudhari said peaceful protest was a constitutional right and condemned the alleged use of force against women students during the demonstration in Delhi. She demanded that Shah accept moral responsibility and resign.

Police detained Jagtap, Chaudhari, Congress leader Ramchandra alias Chandu Kadam and several other party workers during the protest.

Separately, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay More claimed that he and several Shiv Sainiks were detained at Samarth Police Station to prevent them from protesting against Shah’s visit. He alleged that the police action was aimed at ensuring the Home Minister’s visit remained disruption-free.

The BJP also staged a counter-protest against the Congress and other opposition parties during Shah’s visit, leading to political demonstrations by both sides in the city.