Delhi’s ‘Cockroach’ Protest Turns Violent as Officers Deploy Pellet Guns

Hundreds of citizens and citizen‑scientists have marched in the capital of India to push for sweeping educational reforms and to demand the resignation of a government minister. This movement, dubbed the "cockroach protests" for its quirky name, reflects increasing public frustration with educational policy and bureaucratic inertia.

BBC Verify’s investigation into videos uploaded from the city shows Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers firing so‑called pellet guns—nonlethal projectiles designed to disrupt crowds—directly at demonstrators. The footage is unambiguous and shows the projectile’s impact on both the ground and participants’ clothing.

Neither the CRPF nor the government has provided a clear statement about the use of pellet guns in these incidents, stating that “[the] situation is still under investigation.” Such silence follows an earlier report that the CRPF is looking into the overall situation, but the lack of transparency has fueled distrust among protestors and observers alike.

Protest organizers reiterate the call for transparency, demanding that any use of force be documented, reported to the public, and evaluated for compliance with international norms. The incident also raises wider questions around the lines between protest permitting, crowd control tactics, and human rights obligations.

The BBC source links to the original video evidence, and further commentary from Indian civil‑rights lawyers, as well as officials awaiting official response, continues to develop.