“First Pellet Guns, Now AK-47s; Are Students Terrorists?” Priyanka Gandhi Questions Bihar Police Action

July 27, 2026

New Delhi: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday criticised the BJP-led Centre over the alleged use of force against protesting students, questioning the use of pellet guns and an AK-47 during demonstrations linked to examination-related issues.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi raised concerns over the action taken against protesters and questioned whether students were being treated as criminals.

“First guns, now AK-47s, pellet guns! Are they terrorists? What’s wrong with these people?” she said, while alleging that cases had been registered against students in Bihar and Bengal.

Congress questions use of force against protesters

Priyanka Gandhi alleged that authorities were targeting students and claimed that some families were being questioned over their daughters’ participation in protests.

“Can’t girls in India take part in protests?” she asked, demanding accountability from the government over the handling of student demonstrations.

Congress MP K.C. Venugopal also questioned the reported use of an AK-47 during the Bihar protest and asked whether students and young people were being treated as terrorists.

He demanded that the Centre clarify who authorised the use of firearms in Bihar and the alleged use of pellet guns during protests in Delhi.

Bihar cop suspended after AK-47 video goes viral

The controversy erupted after a video allegedly showing a police personnel firing an AK-47 during the July 25 Bihar Bandh protests in Siwan district went viral on social media.

Following the incident, the police personnel was suspended on the directions of Bihar Police Headquarters. Officials said the matter was taken seriously and a departmental inquiry has been initiated.

The statewide shutdown witnessed demonstrations by student organisations across several districts, with clashes reported between protesters and police personnel. In Siwan, tensions escalated during clashes, following which police used force to control the situation.

Authorities said the inquiry will determine whether the use of the firearm followed established police protocols and whether further disciplinary or legal action is required.

Injured protesters stable, investigation underway

Meanwhile, three injured protesters undergoing treatment at Jayprabha Medanta Hospital in Patna are reported to be stable.

One of them, 15-year-old Md Arif, was injured during the unrest, according to his family. Doctors reportedly removed a bullet during surgery, and his condition is now stable.

The findings of the ongoing investigation into the firing incident have not yet been released. Authorities are expected to decide further action after reviewing the inquiry report.