Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has rejected allegations that excessive force was used during the July 20 student protest in Delhi over the NEET paper leak.
Speaking to India Today TV after Parliament’s Monsoon Session ended on August 13, Rijiju said there were no widespread injuries among protesters. Opposition parties had accused the police of using excessive force, including pellet guns.
India Today had earlier reported that a 25-year-old protester suffered around 20 pellet wounds on his back and elbow. Another protester reportedly sustained a serious eye injury. Delhi Police has denied using pellet guns.
Rijiju questioned how many people would have been injured if pellet guns had been used during a large gathering. He said the Supreme Court would examine petitions related to the alleged pellet-gun use.
He also defended the police response, saying it was their duty to stop thousands of protesters from marching towards Parliament.
The Opposition had sought an explanation from the government and demanded a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah. The government declared that it was prepared to address the matter in Parliament.