CRPF Chief Backs Force Members As Pellet Gun Use Sparks Student Protest Debate

Amid the ongoing controversy over the alleged use of pellet guns against student protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, CRPF Director-General Gyanendra Pratap Singh has told personnel to continue performing their duties without fear and assured them that he would take responsibility for decisions made during the discharge of their official duties. Addressing personnel at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) investiture ceremony on Monday, Singh said that officers and troops should remain confident while carrying out responsibilities assigned to them.

His remarks came at a time when the force’s Rapid Action Force (RAF) has come under scrutiny over its handling of the July 20 march to Parliament organised by the Cockroach Janta Party against alleged paper leaks. "As the Director-General of the CRPF, I want to assure each one of you that whether it is an operational battalion or a law-and-order unit, whatever decisions you take and whatever actions you carry out in the bona fide discharge of your duties, I take responsibility for all those decisions and actions," Singh said. The CRPF chief further urged personnel to continue carrying out their responsibilities fearlessly while maintaining discipline and professionalism.

He said that wherever responsibility or accountability was required, he would take it in his capacity as the Director-General of the force. The remarks came after opposition parties and student groups raised concerns over the alleged use of force during a protest at Jantar Mantar. The demonstration was reportedly organised against examination-related irregularities, including allegations of paper leaks. Questions were raised over the methods used by security personnel while controlling the protest. The use of pellet guns during crowd-control situations has often been a subject of debate, with critics arguing that such measures can cause serious injuries, while security agencies maintain that personnel require effective tools to manage situations involving potential law-and-order challenges.

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The CRPF has not publicly commented in detail on the specific allegations surrounding the incident. The Rapid Action Force, a specialised wing of the CRPF, is deployed for handling riots, public disturbances and major law-and-order situations. The unit is trained in crowd management and is frequently called upon during protests, demonstrations and emergency situations across the country. Singh’s statement emphasised the importance of decision-making at the operational level, particularly for personnel involved in challenging security situations. He said officers should act in accordance with their duties while following established procedures and maintaining accountability.

The controversy has also become a political issue, with opposition leaders questioning the government over the handling of student protests and demanding clarity on who authorised the alleged use of force. The government and security agencies have maintained that law enforcement personnel are required to maintain public order while dealing with large gatherings. The CRPF chief’s comments are expected to draw further attention as discussions continue over the role of security forces during protests and demonstrations. The force remains one of India’s largest central armed police organisations, responsible for internal security, election duties, counter-insurgency operations and maintaining public order in coordination with state authorities.

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