Amnesty finds India used pellet guns, grenades in New Delhi student protests
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Amnesty International confirmed Indian government forces used pellet-firing shotguns, grenades, batons and electric shock devices against demonstrators during July 20 protests in New Delhi. More than 100 students were injured in the crackdown by police and paramilitary forces. The findings contradict repeated government denials of excessive force.
Key Facts
- Amnesty International's Evidence Lab verified from video, photographs and witness testimony that police used pellet guns, electric shock batons, tear gas and grenades against protesters on July 20.
- More than 100 students were injured in the crackdown by police and paramilitary forces in New Delhi on July 20.
- Delhi Police publicly denied any disproportionate use of force, specifically pellet guns, and repeated this denial before India's top court.
- Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi called on Home Minister Amit Shah to answer questions about alleged police brutality and joined protesters in demanding his resignation.
The July 20 Crackdown
On July 20, thousands of protesters shut down New Delhi, blocking Parliament Street and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination paper leaks. Police used tear gas as protesters swelled, then attacked them with electric shock batons and shot at them with pellet guns, according to Amnesty International's Evidence Lab. Amnesty also found that government forces put up barricades and enforced a communications blackout during the protest. Hospital records obtained by Indian newspapers showed doctors treated pellet wounds in several cases.
Government Response and Denials
The Modi government repeatedly insisted that security forces had been measured in their response and denied using excessive force. Delhi Police publicly denied any disproportionate use of force, specifically pellet guns, and repeated this denial before India's top court during a hearing about the alleged use of excessive force. Amnesty International said the weapons were deployed in a manner that breached international law and standards and domestic policing guidelines.
1 source
Amnesty finds India used pellet guns, grenades in New Delhi student protests
