New Delhi, July 29: The National Human Rights Commission passed an order issuing notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner following allegations of excessive force used against student demonstrators at Jantar Mantar. Acting on media reports regarding the July 20 incident, the rights body directed authorities to submit a comprehensive response detailing the measures used to disperse the crowd.
Addressing the severity of the allegations, the Commission stated, “In view of the gravity of the issue, the Commission takes suo-motu cognizance of the matter.” The human rights panel added, “The contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights. The use of force in any manner on protesting students, who were raising an issue of public concern, if found excessive and disproportionate, will be contrary to the rights guaranteed by the Constitution as well as in contravention of India’s obligations under international human rights laws.”
The confrontation took place during a “Sansad Chalo” march organized by the online collective Cockroach Janta Party, which began demonstrations in June to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following question paper leaks. Police intervened after demonstrators assembled despite the absence of official permission for the march, leading to clashes where authorities dismantled tents and deployed tear gas alongside lathi charges.
Emphasizing the need for a measured state response, the panel maintained, “The Commission firmly believes that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental right and can only be subjected to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order, and that the State’s response to any protest must be strictly proportionate and not excessive.”
The Delhi Police must now submit detailed factual findings, including the justification for imposing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, the extent of tear gas, lathi charges, and pellets deployed, and full medical records of injured protesters.
