Democratic Newsroom: Metal pellet gun use in Delhi protest sparks fierce debate

The Democratic Newsroom panel debates the use of metal pellet guns by police during protests at Jantar Mantar. Journalist Anand Singh confirmed through hospital records and victim testimonies that metal pellets were lodged in injured protesters, contradicting initial denials by the Delhi Police. Panellists discuss whether the force used was necessary or excessive against student protesters, noting over 200 police personnel were injured and vehicles damaged. While some argue that security forces faced unruly crowds and criminals, others highlight procedural lapses, such as skipping graded responses like water cannons and issuing pellet orders below the required rank. The Rapid Action Force is re-evaluating standard operating procedures for crowd control during student protests.