New Delhi: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday defended the handling of recent Gen Z-led student protests by law enforcement agencies, saying that no protester was killed or suffered a serious injury despite the large crowds involved.
Rijiju said the Delhi Police and administration should be praised for managing the demonstrations without causing casualties. He claimed that “not a single person was harmed,” adding that no protester suffered a broken bone or required hospitalisation for a serious injury.
The minister was speaking about protests linked to examination irregularities and paper leaks, including the student movement in Delhi and demonstrations in Bihar. The protests have drawn thousands of young people demanding reforms in the examination system and stronger action against those responsible for alleged irregularities.
Rijiju rejected allegations of excessive police force and said the Delhi Police exercised restraint. According to him, force was used only after some protesters attempted to break through barricades and move towards Parliament. He also alleged that political activists from opposition parties had joined the demonstrations and attempted to provoke violence.
The minister contrasted the recent response with the handling of protests during previous Congress-led governments. He referred to historical instances of police firing during movements and argued that the current administration had avoided such an outcome.
Rijiju also said the government respects the concerns of students and remains committed to protecting their future. He stressed that examination leaks and other irregularities should be dealt with firmly through legal and judicial processes.
The remarks come amid continuing debate over the government's handling of youth protests. Student groups have raised concerns over examination irregularities and demanded greater accountability from authorities, while the government has maintained that genuine student concerns should be addressed without allowing violence or political provocation.
In Bihar, protests over examination-related issues had earlier led to clashes between demonstrators and police, with authorities using tear gas and lathi charges to disperse crowds after incidents of stone-pelting. The developments have intensified scrutiny of how administrations handle large student demonstrations.
Rijiju's latest comments underline the government's position that security forces acted with restraint while maintaining public order. His remarks are likely to fuel the wider political debate over student protests, examination reforms and the balance between the right to demonstrate and maintaining law and order.
