Amnesty International Reveals India Used Lethal Weapons on Protesters

An investigation by human rights group Amnesty International confirmed on Monday that Indian government forces used lethal weapons, including pellet-firing shotguns, grenades, batons, and electric shock devices, against demonstrators in Gen Z protests last month in New Delhi.

Thousands of protesters had shut down Parliament Street on July 20, demanding the resignation of then-Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following examination paper leaks and irregularities. More than 100 students were injured in the crackdown, with hospital records showing pellet wounds in several cases. Sahil Lochab, who suffered pellet gun injuries, stated he has lost vision in one eye and cannot work.

The Modi government repeatedly insisted security forces were measured and denied excessive force. Delhi Police stated they used force only after protesters resorted to violence. Amnesty's report, however, found tactics that Indian law enforcement rulebooks warn against, concluding the response was state-sanctioned violence masked as crowd control, despite isolated incidents of protesters throwing stones. India’s opposition, led by Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, called on Home Minister Amit Shah to answer questions about alleged police brutality.

India’s Supreme Court established a five-member committee, headed by former judge R Subhash Reddy, to investigate violence by both police and demonstrators, prioritizing sexual assault allegations.