Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra (TMC) questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the alleged use of pellet guns against student protesters [1].

The inquiry centers on the accountability of the Home Ministry in managing civil unrest and the legality of using specific munitions against non-combatant students. If verified, the use of such weaponry in a democratic protest suggests a significant escalation in policing tactics within the capital.

Moitra raised the issue during proceedings in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi [1]. She specifically sought an explanation for the tactics employed during a march to Parliament that took place on July 20, 2026 [1]. The lawmaker asked who was responsible for the decision to deploy pellet guns, a weapon often associated with high-conflict zones rather than urban student demonstrations [1].

According to the reports, Moitra said the Home Ministry must provide a transparent account of the events [1]. She said that the use of such force against students is an excessive measure that requires a formal justification from the highest levels of the home security apparatus [1].

The Home Minister has not yet provided a detailed public response to the specific allegations regarding the July 20, 2026, incident [1]. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between the ruling administration and opposition members over the treatment of dissent, and the rights of students to protest peacefully in New Delhi [1].

Moitra's challenge in the Lok Sabha emphasizes the role of parliamentary oversight in monitoring police conduct [1]. The demand for answers focuses on whether the deployment of pellet guns followed established protocols or represented an unauthorized use of force [1].

“Mahua Moitra questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the alleged use of pellet guns against student protesters.”

This confrontation in the Lok Sabha reflects a broader political struggle over the boundaries of state power and the right to protest in India. By targeting the Home Minister specifically, Moitra is attempting to link the operational decisions of security forces directly to political leadership, shifting the conversation from tactical police errors to a question of systemic government policy regarding student activism.