Pellet gun usage: Major incidents that shaped the crowd-control debate

The rapid action force (RAF) has faced intense scrutiny and criticism for its use of pellet guns on protesters during the July 20, 2026, Parliament march. This incident has reignited tensions over the alleged use of pellet guns on civilians. Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation, while Union Minister Jitendra Singh claimed that "utmost restraint" was observed during the protest.

The Delhi Police also denied any use of pellet guns during the event. However, an exclusive report revealed a general diary entry recording the discharge of two rounds from an anti-riot gun, directed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) rank officer. So far, four individuals have suffered serious injuries due to the use of pellet guns, with one 19-year-old protester at risk of losing vision in his right eye.

Pellet guns have been a contentious issue in India since their first use in Jammu and Kashmir in 2010 to prevent civil unrest. The controversy arose following the Machil fake encounter case and the death of teenager Tufail Mattoo, leading to protests and further instances of pellet gun usage resulting in over 100 civilian deaths.

The CRPF later introduced the 12-bore pump-action shotgun as a mitigated response to violent mobs. However, the use of pellet guns has been heavily criticized due to their potential to cause permanent organ damage, leading to instances of blindness. Public sentiment against pellet guns reached a boiling point in 2018 during protests in Shopian and Anantnag, where security forces responded with pellet guns, causing severe eye injuries to civilians, including a 19-month-old child.