Indian police use pellet guns against student protesters

Videos circulating on social media depict police officers deploying pellet guns against demonstrators in a series of student-led protests across several Indian cities. The footage, recorded on Saturday, shows officers firing the non‑lethal ammunition at crowds gathered outside university campuses in Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, where students have been rallying against recent fee hikes and proposed changes to academic regulations. Law enforcement agencies confirmed that the use of pellet guns was authorized under existing crowd‑control protocols, citing concerns about potential escalation of violence.

Human‑rights groups and university officials have called for an inquiry into the incidents, arguing that the use of pellet ammunition can cause serious injuries. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement asserting that police actions were proportionate and aimed at maintaining public order, while also promising to review the deployment of such weapons. As the protests continue, authorities are monitoring the situation closely, and negotiations between student representatives and government officials are reportedly underway.