London, (Zahid Anwar Mirza) – Amnesty International has expressed serious concern over the reported crackdown on peaceful protesters in New Delhi, urging Indian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly and investigate allegations of excessive use of force.

In a statement, Aakar Patel, Chair of the Board of Amnesty International India, said images and reports from the protest at Jantar Mantar indicated that peaceful dissent was being suppressed. According to Amnesty International, police reportedly used unnecessary and excessive force against demonstrators, erected barricades to prevent protesters from reaching Parliament, and authorities suspended metro services and mobile internet during the demonstrations.

The organization stated that the role of law enforcement is to facilitate and protect peaceful protests rather than suppress them. It called on the Delhi Police to exercise restraint, immediately stop the use of unlawful force against peaceful protesters, and ensure that all allegations of misconduct—including the reported use of batons, tear gas, and stone-throwing by police personnel—are investigated promptly, independently, and impartially.

The demonstrations were organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement seeking accountability over alleged examination paper leaks that reportedly affected millions of students. Protesters also demanded the resignation of India’s Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan.

Amnesty International also referred to reports that activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike in support of the protests, was taken to a hospital by Delhi Police on July 18 against his wishes after 21 days of fasting.

The organization further noted that allegations of question paper leaks in the 2026 NEET-UG medical entrance examination led to the cancellation of exam results for more than two million students, triggering widespread protests and reports that several students died by suicide amid the stress and uncertainty surrounding the examination process.

Amnesty International called on the Indian authorities to uphold international human rights standards, protect the right to peaceful protest, and ensure accountability through independent investigations into the reported incidents.