'Are They Terrorists?': Priyanka Gandhi Questions Force Against Protesters

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday sharply criticised the Centre over the police response to the recent student protests in Delhi, questioning the use of force during demonstrations against alleged examination irregularities. Speaking during the Lok Sabha debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, she asked who authorised the alleged use of pellet guns against protesters and questioned whether such measures were justified against students.

Addressing the House, Priyanka Gandhi alleged that police used tear gas, lathi-charge, water cannons and pellet guns to disperse demonstrators who had gathered to demand accountability over the examination controversy. "What was the necessity of using pellet guns and AK-47s against the country's youth? Were they terrorists?" she asked, urging the government to clarify who ordered the alleged use of pellet guns. She also questioned whether the directive came from the Prime Minister or the Union Home Minister, saying the country deserved an explanation.

The protests escalated on July 20 when students attempted to march towards Parliament from the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi. Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel used crowd-control measures, including baton charges and tear gas, to disperse the protesters after clashes broke out. Demonstrators had been demanding the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak and other examination-related irregularities. The movement later spread to several cities across the country.

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During her speech, Priyanka Gandhi also alleged that women protesters were humiliated during the police action, claiming some were assaulted and their clothes were torn. She said parents, students and teachers across the country were seeking answers from the government regarding the handling of the demonstrations. Her remarks came amid continued political debate over the police response and the government's handling of the examination controversy.

The student protests were called off after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister over the weekend. The Lok Sabha is currently debating amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, with the proposed legislation seeking to strengthen penalties for examination-related offences. Meanwhile, allegations regarding the use of force during the protests remain a key point of contention between the Opposition and the Centre, with demands for greater accountability continuing to be raised in Parliament.

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