Amnesty Confirms Indian Police Used Pellet Guns, Tear Gas Against Gen Z Protesters

New Delhi, India – An investigation by Amnesty International has confirmed that Indian government forces used lethal weapons, including pellet guns, grenades, batons, and electric shock devices, against protesters in the Gen Z movement that shook the capital last month.

On July 20, thousands of protesters nearly blockaded New Delhi, blocking the road to Parliament and demanding the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following a series of national exam paper leak scandals and other irregularities. More than 100 students were injured in the crackdown by police and paramilitary forces that day. Indian media obtained hospital records showing that doctors treated pellet wounds in many cases.

The opposition party led by Rahul Gandhi has called on Home Minister Amit Shah, considered a close aide of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to answer allegations of police repression and demanded his resignation. However, Modi's government has repeatedly asserted that security forces responded appropriately and denied the use of excessive force.

Events of July 20

The CJP (Cockroach Janta Party), a satirical youth movement formed amid the exam scandal, called on supporters to march to Parliament after a month of silent protest failed to force the education minister to resign. Two days before the march, police forcibly dispersed prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike, sparking outrage and drawing more people onto the streets.

According to verification by Amnesty's Evidence Lab based on video, photos, and witness accounts, police used tear gas when the crowd swelled, then attacked with electric batons and fired pellet guns. The organization also found that authorities erected barricades and imposed a communications blackout.

“The weapons were deployed in a manner that violates international law, standards, and regulations on maintaining domestic order,” Amnesty stated on Monday. The group said the evidence collected “directly contradicts” the account given by Delhi police. Four days after the march, Bihar state police fired at protesters in the town of Siwan, wounding at least three young men.

Pellet wounds

After the July 20 protest, numerous videos and images showed protesters with injuries characteristic of pellet guns, consistent with medical records. The Evidence Lab confirmed two videos showing a paramilitary Rapid Action Force officer firing a shotgun into the crowd at the Connaught Place intersection and Parliament Street. At least two protesters had wounds from small-caliber shot pellets fired in large quantities.

“Doctors confirmed they were pellet wounds. Fortunately, my bones weren't damaged, but my body bears severe scars,” one protester told Amnesty. The organization emphasized that shotguns were not developed for law enforcement purposes due to their wide spread, which is “inherently inaccurate and poses a high risk of severe injury to both the target and bystanders.” Amnesty also noted that police did not issue public warnings before firing, violating recommendations from India's Bureau of Police Research and Development.

Delhi police dismissed reports of pellet wounds as “fake news,” “completely false and misleading,” and warned of “legal action” against those spreading rumors. However, an internal investigation by the paramilitary force is later believed to have confirmed that personnel fired at least seven volleys containing metallic pellets.

“Instead of facilitating the right to protest, Indian authorities preemptively suppressed through communication blackouts, barricades, and traffic disruption. They then tried to crush it with unnecessary and excessive force targeting peaceful protesters, including children,” criticized Aakar Patel, chair of Amnesty International India's board.

Tear gas and batons

Police used tear gas grenades to disperse crowds in several parts of New Delhi. Amnesty warned that “tear gas grenades releasing excessive explosive energy are extremely dangerous and should be banned at public gatherings,” and noted that grenades were fired directly at protesters rather than over their heads, contrary to UN guidelines.

The organization also verified that police used lathis, India's distinctive batons, to beat protesters. The UN Special Rapporteur on torture considers the lathi a “cruel, inhuman, or degrading” tool because it delivers more impact than a standard baton, causing severe pain and increasing the risk of serious injury. Amnesty also found that plainclothes men beat protesters while police stood by without intervening; many officers did not wear name tags or identification numbers as required.

Opposition response

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi accused Home Minister Amit Shah of either ordering the use of lethal weapons, making him “guilty,” or being unaware of the situation, rendering him “incompetent” for the role. Gandhi also staged a seven-hour sit-in outside Delhi police headquarters to force the force to accept a complaint from 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who lost vision in one eye due to pellet wounds.

In the complaint, Lochab, a Delhi University student, said his body contains more than 200 pellet fragments, and doctors say his chance of vision recovery is under 1%. “My parents should not have to receive a call saying their son died due to negligence. That's why I have to speak out,” Lochab wrote.