Amnesty Accuses Indian Police of Excessive Force During Youth-Led Protests

NEW DELHI, India — Indian police used excessive force, including pellet guns and electric shock devices, against youth-led demonstrators during protests that culminated in the resignation of the country’s education minister, Amnesty International said Monday.

The rights organization’s findings conflict with the police account that officers deployed force only after protesters became violent. The allegations also come days after India’s Supreme Court established a panel to investigate violence involving both demonstrators and police.

Protests Erupt Over Medical Entrance Exam

The demonstrations began in response to allegations surrounding the leak of India’s national medical entrance examination. Tensions escalated in New Delhi on July 20 when thousands of protesters attempted to march toward Parliament.

Amnesty International said it had examined witness testimony and verified visual material documenting the use of pellet-firing shotguns, tear gas launchers, grenades, batons and electric shock devices against protesters in Delhi and the eastern state of Bihar.

The organization also said it had verified two incidents in Bihar’s Siwan district in which a police officer allegedly used lethal force against a crowd. No one was killed in those incidents.

Amnesty said the weapons were used in ways that violated international standards as well as domestic policing guidelines.

The rights group acknowledged that there were isolated incidents of protesters throwing stones, but said those incidents did not justify what it characterized as a disproportionate police response.

Police Dispute Amnesty Findings

Delhi Police has rejected the characterization of its response as excessive.

During a Supreme Court hearing last week, police said officers used force only after protesters had “resorted to violence.” Authorities also alleged that individuals posing as students were involved in attacks that caused serious injuries to security personnel.

The conflicting accounts are now expected to be examined as part of the Supreme Court-backed investigation into the unrest.

Rahul Gandhi Backs Injured Protester

The allegations have also drawn opposition leader Rahul Gandhi into the dispute.

On Friday, Gandhi staged a sit-in outside a Delhi police station alongside a 19-year-old protester who said he was injured by pellets during the July 20 demonstration.

Gandhi called for a police investigation into the alleged shooting. Police subsequently registered a case based on the protester's complaint.

Youth Movement Expands Beyond Exam Dispute

What began as anger over alleged examination irregularities expanded into a broader youth movement focused on unemployment, economic opportunities and concerns about the direction of India's government.

The protests were led in part by the online Cockroach Janta Party, which became a rallying point for young demonstrators.

The movement emerged as one of the most significant challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi since his return to office for a third term in 2024.

Supreme Court Inquiry to Examine Violence

With Amnesty International alleging unlawful use of force and police maintaining that officers acted in response to violence, the Supreme Court’s investigation is likely to play a central role in determining what happened during the demonstrations.

The inquiry will also face the broader question of how authorities should respond to large-scale protests while protecting both public safety and the right to peaceful assembly.

The allegations have renewed scrutiny of policing practices in India and could intensify debate over the government’s handling of growing youth dissatisfaction.