Opposition parties in India are calling for the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah following allegations of excessive force used by security forces during student protests in Delhi. The protests, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), were sparked by claims of a NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) paper leak and demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
On July 20, protesters marched from Jantar Mantar to Parliament, demanding accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak. During the demonstration, reports emerged of security personnel using pellet guns against protesters. Delhi Police have officially denied these allegations, stating that they neither possess nor use pellet guns. However, medical reports from Lady Hardinge Hospital indicated injuries consistent with pellet wounds, raising questions about the police's claims.
The Rapid Action Force (RAF), an anti-riot unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was deployed alongside Delhi Police during the protests. Official records confirm that RAF personnel used non-lethal munitions, including plastic pellets, to control the crowd near Jantar Mantar. A general diary entry at the Parliament Street police station detailed the use of anti-riot guns and plastic pellets during the protest. Despite this, the CRPF has not publicly commented on whether pellet guns were used during the protest.
Opposition leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, have criticized the government's handling of the protests. Kharge questioned Amit Shah's absence from Parliament during the unrest, while Gandhi blamed Shah for the police action against student protesters in Delhi. The Supreme Court has also sought the police's graded use-of-force standing order in the Jantar Mantar pellet row, indicating ongoing scrutiny of the incident.
The controversy has intensified calls for accountability and transparency regarding the use of force during public demonstrations. The situation remains fluid, with investigations underway to determine the extent of the alleged use of pellet guns and the appropriateness of the police response.