Pellet Guns Fired in Delhi's 'Cockroach' Protests—Video Footage Shows Officers Lining Up to Suppress Protesters

Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of New Delhi in a wave of what journalists are calling the United "cockroach protests." The protests, sparked by demands for comprehensive educational reform and the resignation of a senior government minister, have turned violent during the night, as videos circulating on social media show police officers using pellet guns.

BBC Verify has analysed footage from several spots around the capital, capturing the moment security forces—believed to be the Central Reserve Police Force—pointed pellet guns at crowds and fired rounds. The concrete injuries suggest the pellets inflicted significant damage on many protesters, yet the police have withheld details. The Central Reserve Police Force said the situation was still under consideration, refusing to comment on the gear used or on any injuries.

The footage is a key piece of the unfolding story, revealing a stark contrast between the chants of "change" echoing in the streets and the military precision of the gunfire that followed. How the government will respond—to the demands, to the evidence, to the public’s safety—remains open to speculation.

The protest movement, initially set up in August during a student‑led rally, has developed into a broader movement across Delhi and other cities, coinciding with calls for curriculum revision, the removal of a minister deemed corrupt, and improved job prospects for students in a war‑torn region. The use of pellet guns remains a contentious issue, with human rights and oversight groups calling for a full inquiry.