Opposition Demands Apology Over Brutal Student Crackdown in India

Opposition lawmakers and the Supreme Court of India are confronting the government over the use of lethal force against students protesting NEET-UG 2026 paper leaks. During the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march in New Delhi, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party, Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel allegedly used pellet guns, tear gas, and shock batons, leaving some students with permanent vision loss. Further allegations emerged of AK-47 rifles being used against protesters in Bihar.

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, demanded an unconditional apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and questioned Home Minister Amit Shah on who authorized the lethal force. In Parliament on July 27, opposition members moved adjournment motions to discuss the brutality, leading to the adjournment of the Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, the government introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, to combat paper leaks. Opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, dismissed the bill as ineffective while students in Bihar and West Bengal continue to face police FIRs.

Chief Justice Surya Kant of the Supreme Court asserted that the right to peaceful protest is absolutely guaranteed and does not justify police excess. The court is considering a uniform nationwide protocol for protests and will hear petitions on July 28 regarding both student injuries and attacks on police personnel. This political crisis previously forced the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25, who was replaced by Pralhad Joshi. Prime Minister Modi has since appointed Nandan Nilekani to lead a high-powered task force to reform the National Testing Agency.