Amnesty International's latest inquiry details a pattern of heavy-handed responses by Indian authorities to student-led demonstrations that erupted in recent months. According to the report, security forces deployed 'pellet guns, tear gas, and electric shock devices' to disperse crowds of young protesters, resulting in scores of injuries and raising serious human rights concerns.
The protests, driven largely by Gen Z activists frustrated with unemployment, educational reforms, and government policies, gained momentum across several Indian states. Amnesty's investigators interviewed witnesses, reviewed medical records, and analyzed video footage to compile the report, which it says provides evidence of disproportionate force.
Indian government officials have not yet issued a formal response to the report. However, authorities have traditionally defended the use of such measures as necessary for maintaining public order and preventing violence. In past incidents, officials have argued that pellet guns—which fire non-lethal but painful projectiles—are a less lethal alternative to live ammunition.
Human rights advocates, however, contend that pellet guns can cause permanent eye damage and that electric shock devices are prohibited under international standards for law enforcement. The report calls for a ban on these weapons and for independent investigations into alleged abuses.
The controversy comes amid a broader crackdown on dissent in India, with critics accusing the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of stifling opposition. Student groups have vowed to continue their protests despite the risks, arguing that their demands for economic opportunity and democratic accountability are non-negotiable.