Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Delhi Police denies excesses in July 20 protest clashes
In Delhi, India, students and other people held a big protest and marched toward the Parliament building.
Police were there to keep things under control, and the two groups clashed.
The police say the protest started peacefully but turned violent when people broke through barricades.
They say they used the right amount of force and that no one died or got badly hurt.
But some protesters say the police used very strong weapons like pellet guns, which shoot small round pellets.
A few people said they were hit by pellets, and one student reportedly hurt his eye so badly that he lost vision.
A government minister named Kiren Rijiju praised the police and said people should thank them for being peaceful.
The Opposition says the police were too rough and wants the Home Minister to explain what happened.
Leaders are still arguing about it in Parliament and the Supreme Court.
Both sides agree the protest happened and people were hurt, but they disagree about who is to blame.
Delhi Police filed an affidavit saying force used during the July 20 protest was "graded" and proportionate, denying excesses.
The police said more than 240 police personnel and around 200 protesters were injured, and that anti-social elements and history-sheeters had infiltrated the protest.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju rejected brutality charges, saying no one died or was seriously injured and that "not one" lathi was used.
Protesters and Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, alleged pellet guns, lathi-charge, tear gas and shock batons were used; five people said they were hit with pellets.
The march to Parliament was called by the Cockroach Janta Party and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, and the issue has repeatedly featured in the monsoon session of Parliament.
- Who
- Delhi Police, Union minister Kiren Rijiju, the Cockroach Janta Party, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, and Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi
- What
- Clashes during a July 20 protest march to Parliament and allegations of excessive police force, including lathi-charge, pellet guns and tear gas, which the police and government deny
- When
- July 20, with the controversy continuing through the monsoon session of Parliament
- Where
- Delhi, India, during a march towards Parliament
- Why
- Protesters marched to Parliament in a movement linked to the NEET protests, during which Sonam Wangchuk was on hunger strike; police say force was needed after barricades were breached and the crowd became difficult to control
Opposition and Protesters
Government and Police
Use of force
Opposition and Protesters
Police used disproportionate force, including lathi-charge, pellet guns, tear gas and shock batons; at least a dozen Rapid Action Force personnel were reportedly issued pellet guns on the morning of July 20.
Government and Police
The force used was "graded" and proportionate, applied only after protesters breached barricades; Rijiju claimed "not one" lathi was used.
Injuries and casualties
Opposition and Protesters
Five people said they were hit with pellets, students repeatedly alleged tear gas was used, and Rahul Gandhi presented a student who reportedly lost vision in one eye from a pellet.
Government and Police
No one died or was seriously injured; Rijiju said the police managed everything "so peacefully" and should be praised rather than criticised.
Who was at the protest
Opposition and Protesters
Peaceful students marching to Parliament were lathi-charged, as shown in visuals from the day.
Government and Police
Anti-social elements, history-sheeters and criminals infiltrated under the guise of students, with Rijiju naming people from the Aam Aadmi Party, the Bhim Army and the Samajwadi Party as inciting violence.
- Protest date
- July 20
- Location
- Delhi; march towards Parliament
- Police deployed
- About 5,000 personnel
- Police personnel injured
- More than 240
- Protesters injured
- Around 200 per police; five people said they were hit with pellets
- Organizers
- Cockroach Janta Party and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk
- Alleged police actions
- Lathi-charge, pellet guns, tear gas, shock batons
- Forums of scrutiny
- Supreme Court (Delhi Police affidavit) and Parliament's monsoon session