NEW DELHI—The Indian government has rejected social media claims that police used pellet guns against protesters demonstrating over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 examination paper leak, calling the allegations false and urging the public not to circulate unverified information.
The Press Information Bureau's Fact Check Unit said posts alleging that security personnel fired pellet guns at protesters in the national capital were fabricated. It also denied separate claims that police used batons fitted with nails during crowd-control operations, describing both assertions as fake.
Delhi Police separately issued what it described as a "Fake News Alert," saying reports that officers deployed pellet guns against demonstrators during the "Chalo Sansad" march were "completely false and misleading." Police added that the force does not possess or use pellet guns and urged people to rely on official sources before sharing information online. Authorities also warned that legal action could be taken against those found spreading misinformation.
The denials came after videos and posts circulated on social media claiming that protesters had suffered pellet injuries during clashes with security personnel. Some opposition figures and participants in the demonstrations alleged that police used excessive force while preventing marchers from advancing toward Parliament. Those allegations have not been independently verified.
The demonstrations were organized over allegations of irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 medical entrance examination and drew large numbers of students and supporters in New Delhi. Police and protesters clashed during attempts to move past security barricades, leading to injuries and detentions.
According to official information cited by police, dozens of officers and protesters were injured during the confrontation and received medical treatment. Authorities have not revised their position that pellet guns were not used in the operation.
Separately, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda visited injured protesters admitted to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College Hospital, where he reviewed their condition with medical staff.
As of July 22, government agencies and Delhi Police continued to maintain that the pellet gun allegations were unfounded, while appeals circulated for the public to verify information through official channels as investigations into the broader NEET-UG controversy continued.
