The July 20 Jantar Mantar protest has escalated into a political and legal face-off. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the Delhi Police, while Rahul Gandhi accused the government of misleading the public and alleged the use of pellet guns and nail-studded lathis against students. The Supreme Court has announced a high-powered panel to probe the alleged police excesses and examine FIRs against protesters, while stressing the constitutional right to peaceful protest.