NWMI Condemns Use of Force Against Peaceful Protesters and Journalists, Demands Accountability
The Network of Women in Media, India, strongly condemns the use of force against peaceful protesters and journalists at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar area as well as the state’s intimidatory tactics aimed at discouraging similar protests elsewhere in the country. NWMI calls upon the media to report responsibly on this important protest by the country’s youth and decries attempts to stop reporters from doing their job.
Young people, primarily students demanding accountability over repeated exam paper leaks, who were marching to Parliament on July 20, 2026, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, were met with batons, tear gas and extreme violence by the Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF).
The severe pellet gun injuries sustained by 19-year old Sahil Lochab, who has lost his vision in one eye, a young journalist from Outlook, and an aspirant to the police services provide undeniable proof of state excess.
In addition, credible videos documenting policemen and other security personnel sexually harassing female protesters, have emerged online. Some women reporters who were covering the protests were also roughed up and molested at the protest site. The safety of women in public spaces is everyone’s responsibility.
For many young people who converged upon the capital from far away places, it was their first opportunity to stand up for their rights and seek accountability for a better future. But rather than listen to them and engage in peaceful dialogue, the state has chosen to flex its muscles.
The union government’s announcement about the setting up of fast track courts “to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks” is too little, too late. It does not address the many systemic problems plaguing our education system; nor does it address calls for accountability for previous leaks.
In any case, claims about promoting accountability ring hollow when policemen are deployed in plain clothes and/or without name tags.
The satirical origins of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and this protest should not obscure the fact that exam paper leaks have snuffed out the dreams of many young students who died by suicide.
The NWMI also notes the several questionable actions of the police such as denying legal permission, detaining, questioning, harassing, threatening to file FIRs against young people attending protests in Delhi, Mumbai and other places.
The Constitution of India guarantees that citizens can exercise their fundamental right of peaceful protest and freedom of speech and expression.
Such action extends to online spaces as well. The suspension of mobile internet services near protest sites, censorship of social media posts, restrictions on messaging apps and the deployment of powerful AI facial-recognition-surveillance tech to identify protesters and journalists covering the demonstrations, belie our claim to be the world’s largest democracy.
NWMI demands the following:
- The police and security forces must exercise restraint and desist from using force on unarmed, peaceful protesters and media persons;
- The State must desist from using AI surveillance technology against protesters and journalists;
- Incidents of violence and sexual harassment must be independently and impartially investigated in a time-bound manner;
- Those responsible for perpetrating excesses must be held accountable.
The Network of Women in Media, India
July 24, 2026
