Ten persons injured by pellets during youth protest march to Parliament, shows RTI response

Ten individuals sustained injuries from pellet gunfire during a youth protest march toward Parliament on July 20 in Delhi, according to a Right to Information (RTI) response obtained by Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale. The information was shared via a social media post on Monday, revealing that Lady Hardinge Medical College treated nine individuals for injuries caused by projectiles, while Safdarjung Hospital recorded one such case. These findings contradict earlier claims by authorities that no pellet guns were used during the demonstrations. The incident occurred amid widespread protests against the alleged mismanagement of competitive exams. On July 20, thousands gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, marching toward Parliament to voice their concerns. The protests had gained momentum following the arrest of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike for three weeks before being taken to hospital by police on July 18. The crackdown included the use of batons, tear gas, and pellet guns, leading to multiple injuries among protesters. Delhi Police initially denied using pellet guns during the protests, asserting they did not fire them at demonstrators. However, a report published by The Hindu on July 28 cited a general diary entry from the Rapid Action Force, a unit under the Central Reserve Police Force, indicating that pellet guns were indeed deployed on the orders of a Delhi Police officer. This marked the first known instance of pellet guns being used against unarmed protesters in Delhi. Two injured individuals, Prashant Kumar Singh and Sheikh Irshad Mansoor, have since filed petitions with the Supreme Court requesting a ban on the use of pellet guns during crowd dispersal operations. Gokhale noted that he had yet to receive responses from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital regarding potential additional cases. He criticized the Union government for its lack of transparency, questioning how a democratic system could allow law enforcement to use lethal force and then conceal casualty numbers. Prior reports indicated five individuals suffered pellet injuries during the July 20 protests, but medical records confirm at least ten people were affected. Gokhale emphasized the discrepancy, stating that the government should provide accurate figures rather than obscure them. He accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of misusing police and central agencies, comparing their actions to a personal militia. Gokhale further challenged Shah to address the issue openly in Parliament, suggesting that the government might avoid accountability by allowing disruptions in legislative sessions. The protests originated on June 6 when the Cockroach Janta Party organized a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, then Union education minister. The movement intensified after Pradhan stepped down on July 25, following pressure from protesters and public scrutiny over alleged irregularities in competitive examination processes. The nationwide agitation continued to grow, prompting calls for greater transparency and reform within the education sector. Opposition parties have consistently demanded that Shah clarify the use of excessive force by police during the protests. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that Shah would address the situation in Parliament if the opposition refrained from disrupting proceedings. Meanwhile, the focus remains on ensuring that all injured individuals receive proper medical attention and that the legal implications of the police actions are thoroughly examined. Medical institutions continue to process information related to the incident, with Gokhale awaiting updates from additional hospitals. As the debate over the use of pellet guns intensifies, the need for clear policies governing crowd control measures becomes increasingly apparent. The outcome of pending legal challenges and ongoing investigations will likely shape future discussions on policing practices and civil liberties in India.