Amnesty International has verified evidence of police using pellet guns, tear gas, and electric shock devices against student protesters in Delhi and Bihar. The report follows the high-profile resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

  • Amnesty International confirmed the use of pellet guns and electric shock devices against protesters.
  • The violence erupted following protests over the NEET-UG paper leak.
  • The Supreme Court has established a panel to investigate violence by both sides.
  • Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid the unrest.

Amnesty International released a damning report on Monday, alleging that police forces employed excessive and disproportionate force during recent youth-led protests in Delhi and Bihar. According to the human rights group, verified witness testimonies and visual evidence confirm the deployment of pellet-firing shotguns, tear gas launchers, grenades, batons, and electric shock devices against demonstrators.

The Catalyst: NEET-UG Paper Leak

The unrest was triggered by widespread allegations of irregularities and paper leaks in the NEET-UG examinations. The tension reached a breaking point on July 20, 2026, when thousands of students attempted to march toward Parliament in New Delhi. The massive scale of the demonstrations eventually led to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan last month.

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Conflicting Accounts and Judicial Oversight

A significant gap exists between the official police narrative and the findings of Amnesty. While the Delhi Police maintained in a Supreme Court hearing that force was only used as a last resort against 'anti-social elements masquerading as students,' Amnesty characterized the response as "state-sanctioned violence masked as crowd control." In response to the escalating violence from both parties, the Supreme Court of India intervened on August 20, 2026, by setting up an independent panel to investigate the conduct of both the police and the demonstrators.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident highlights a critical tension in Indian democracy: the balance between maintaining public order and protecting the right to peaceful protest. The use of non-lethal but potentially injurious weapons like pellet guns in civilian crowds raises serious questions regarding international policing standards and domestic accountability.

The weapons were deployed in a manner that breached international law and standards and domestic policing guidelines.

The political fallout has been swift. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently staged a sit-in outside a police station to support a 19-year-old protester injured by pellets, demanding a formal investigation. Furthermore, Amnesty highlighted instances in Bihar's Siwan district where lethal force was allegedly used unlawfully against a crowd.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What weapons did Amnesty International claim were used?
Amnesty cited the use of pellet-firing shotguns, tear gas, grenades, and electric shock devices.

2. What is the Supreme Court doing about the situation?
The Supreme Court has formed a dedicated panel to investigate the violence committed by both the police and the protesters.

Did You Know?: Pellet guns are often classified as 'less-lethal' weapons, but they can cause permanent blindness or severe injury if used improperly.