Amnesty International Confirms Indian Security Forces Used Lethal Weapons and Pellets Against Gen Z Protesters

Sahil Lochab, who suffered pellet gun injuries during the last month's protests by the supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over examination paper leaks, speaks to the media outside a police station in New Delhi, India, August 21, 2026.

An investigation by human rights group Amnesty International has confirmed that Indian government forces used lethal weapons, including pellet-firing shotguns, grenades, batons, and electric shock devices, against demonstrators in Gen Z protests that rocked the national capital last month. On July 20, thousands of protesters shut down New Delhi, blocking off Parliament Street and demanding the resignation of then-Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following a string of examination scandals involving leaked national exam papers and other irregularities.

More than 100 students were injured in the crackdown by police and paramilitary forces that day. Indian newspapers obtained hospital records showing that doctors had treated pellet wounds in several cases. India’s opposition, led by Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, subsequently called on Home Minister Amit Shah to answer questions about the alleged police brutality and joined protesters in calling for his resignation. Despite mounting evidence and growing political criticism, the Modi government repeatedly insisted that security forces had been measured in their response and denied using excessive force. However, Amnesty's investigation revealed the use of tactics that Indian law enforcement rulebooks warn against using in all but exceptional circumstances.

On July 20, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)—a satirical, youth-led movement—called on supporters to march on the Indian Parliament after a monthlong sit-in failed to oust the education minister. Two days prior, police forcibly removed renowned activist Sonam Wangchuk from a hunger strike, galvanizing public anger. Amnesty International’s Evidence Lab verified through video, photographic evidence, and witness testimony that police used tear gas, electric shock batons, and pellet guns as protesters swelled.

Amnesty stated that these weapons were deployed in a manner breaching international standards and domestic policing guidelines. While the Delhi Police publicly denied any disproportionate use of force or pellet guns before India’s top court, Amnesty gathered evidence directly contradicting their account. Furthermore, police in Bihar state’s Siwan town opened fire on protesters four days later, injuring at least three youths.

The Evidence Lab verified videos showing a paramilitary Rapid Action Force officer firing a shotgun into the crowd at the intersection of Connaught Place and Parliament Street. Victims sustained injuries consistent with birdshot ammunition. A subsequent internal inquiry by India’s paramilitary forces reportedly found that personnel fired at least seven rounds of ammunition containing metal pellets.

Aakar Patel, chair of the board at Amnesty International India, stated that authorities suppressed the protests with a communication blackout, barricades, and transport disruption before attempting to crush them with excessive force against peaceful protesters and children. Government forces also used tear gas grenades directly at protesters and deployed lathis, which the UN special rapporteur on torture considers inherently cruel, inhuman, or degrading.

In response to the crackdown, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke vowed that every police officer who attacked protesters would be identified and brought to court. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi pressured the government for answers and staged a seven-hour sit-in outside the Delhi Police chief's office alongside Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old student who lost vision in one eye due to pellet injuries, eventually forcing the police to register a complaint.