Pellet Flares in Delhi: Protesters Caught in a Cockroach Protest

Mon Sep 14 2026 14:12:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A surging crowd of Indian citizens in Delhi stormed the streets to demand educational reforms and the resignation of a government minister, while security forces utilized ‘pellet guns’ amid a controversial ‘cockroach protest’.

Thousands of Delhi residents formed an unprecedented “cockroach” protest to call for educational reform and demand that a minister step down. Video footage released by BBC Verify shows Central Reserve Police Force officers firing pellet guns into the crowds, raising concerns over the safety of the demonstrators. Officials have yet to comment on the injuries seen in footage, with the CRPF saying it is looking into the events but will not comment until further.

The waves of dissent in Delhi have escalated to a new front as citizens sit in a gigantic, live‑streamed “cockroach protest” across major city squares, demanding sweeping educational reforms and the resignation of a high‑profile government minister. The protest has already surpassed 10,000 participants, with groups chanting the metallic name of the protest—cockroach—as a symbol of perceived governmental neglect toward society’s basic needs.

Pellet Gun Videos

According to a series of videos analyzed by BBC Verify, security officers from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployed “pellet guns” aimed at the demonstrators. The devices, marketed as a less lethal alternative to tear gas, were fired in multiple angles and directions, capturing the shock and distress of the crowd in the footage.

Injuries and Official Response

Video clips show several protestors with visible bruises and facial trauma, heightening concerns about the cost of maintaining public order. The CRPF, however, declined to comment on the extent of injuries, explaining that it was a “premature” time to disclose details and is investigating the incident. Instead, the organization stated that it is “looking into the events” while the minor remains covered in a state of shock.

If confirmed, pellet gun use during such a mass protest could lead to intensified scrutiny from civil rights organizations and intensify local and national activism on policing reforms.

The Bigger Picture

The dusted cockroach protest is part of a rising trend of “nonviolent direct action” in India’s political sphere, with activists demanding an overhaul of educational policy structures that fail to meet basic needs. According to early reports, the protest's leaders are calling on citizens to hold the minister accountable for the country’s wide‑ranging crises, including the newly implemented online educational reforms that many say favor bigger budgets over student safety.

Between the tumbas, protesters have called for an immediate resettlement of online classes, and a broad review of the National Education Policy. For now, the agitators remain at a roadside café with treats of French fries and sodas, gathering the trust of both the media and social media for unforgettable, unprecedented evidence live.

Stay tuned to PulseWire for updated footage, eyewitness accounts, and real‐time discussion threads so you never miss a pulse on what’s unfolding in the opposition’s live‑streamed protest.