During the violence in Delhi, security forces, including Delhi Police, CRPF, and RAS, suffered a range of severe injuries, including broken bones, deep lacerations, and head trauma. Eyewitness accounts indicate that police officers used batons and pellet guns to manage the large crowds, while students, reportedly demanding educational reform, waved banners and chanted slogans about policy changes. The confrontation has raised questions about the nature of the protest and how it was handled by authorities.
Legal and security experts joined a televised discussion to assess whether the level of force applied by law enforcement was justified. A former top intelligence official criticized the tactics as 'disproportionate' for what was described as a peaceful demonstration. Families of those injured in the clashes took to the streets in New Delhi to protest, calling for criminal probes and financial support for the wounded. They reject claims that the police were targeting unarmed demonstrators, insisting on accountability for the officers involved.
Broader unrest in region
The unrest in Delhi is part of a wider pattern of instability in the region. In Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, similar clashes erupt regularly, with civilians caught in the crossfire and military curfews severely limiting movement. Activist Taslima Nasrin, who fled Bangladesh over 20 years ago, returned to India in a highly secured operation, supported by the Secular Mission Trust and activist Osman Mallik. Many view the return as not only a personal victory but also a diplomatic initiative to underscore India's commitment to secularism and free expression.