CRPF Chief Assures Personnel Amid Pellet Gun Use Controversy

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General, Gyanendra Pratap Singh, issued a strong message to the force's personnel, urging them to carry out their duties "fearlessly" and assuring them that he would take "responsibility and accountability" for decisions made in the bona fide discharge of their duties. This directive was delivered during a CRPF Grand Investiture Ceremony, and has garnered significant attention, particularly in the context of recent controversies surrounding the conduct of security forces. The statement by DG Singh comes on the heels of intense public and political scrutiny following the alleged use of pellet guns by the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialized wing of the CRPF, during protests in Delhi on July 20, 2026. These protests, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), were spurred by allegations of a paper leak in the NEET-UG examination, affecting lakhs of students across the country. The 'Sansad Chalo' march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament saw clashes between protesters and security personnel, with allegations of excessive force being used by the latter. Opposition parties, most notably Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, have heavily criticized the police and RAF actions, claiming to have seen pellet injuries and accusing security forces of using electrically charged batons and nail-studded lathis. These accusations have escalated the issue, bringing it into the national political discourse and leading to discussions in Parliament. In response to the growing criticism, DG Singh had previously stated that a "professional post-event assessment" would be conducted to review the actions of RAF personnel during the protests. This assessment is a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the CRPF after major operations and aims to evaluate all aspects of the response and determine if established protocols were followed. While the Director General has assured institutional support for bona fide actions taken by personnel, the CRPF has also made it clear that any reckless and unjustified actions would be dealt with through disciplinary proceedings as per CRPF rules and law. The controversy has also reached the highest judicial body in India, with a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court. The PIL seeks compensation for those allegedly injured during the July 20 protest and a comprehensive ban on the use of metallic pellets for crowd-control operations. Reports indicate that the Supreme Court is actively seeking the RAF log pertaining to the firing at Jantar Mantar, underscoring the gravity of the legal challenge. The use of pellet guns by security forces, particularly in situations of crowd control, has long been a contentious issue in India, especially in regions like Jammu and Kashmir, where their use has led to severe injuries, including permanent blindness, for many individuals, often minors. The related articles provided for context highlight the devastating human cost associated with these weapons, with one survivor recounting the pain of being blinded since the age of 14. While CRPF sources have historically maintained that non-lethal pellet guns are used only after other graded crowd-control measures, such as public announcements, tear gas, and lathi charges, prove insufficient, the recurring injuries continue to fuel public outcry and calls for their ban. This incident is not isolated; the CRPF is frequently deployed in sensitive security situations across India, ranging from counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and anti-Maoist campaigns to assisting state police in maintaining law and order during civil unrest. The Director General's statement is therefore seen as a morale booster for the troops, reaffirming the leadership's backing in challenging circumstances, while also implicitly acknowledging the need for adherence to established protocols and accountability. The ongoing internal review and the Supreme Court's involvement underscore the national importance and urgency of addressing the balance between maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and rights of citizens during protests.

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