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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday sharply challenged the Supreme Court\u2019s observations on the use of pellet guns during student protests. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das accused the court of failing to rigorously examine whether the police action against peaceful demonstrators on July 20 was justified.Responding to the hearing on petitions related to the Delhi protest crackdown, Das said the court\u2019s position raised serious questions about the use of force against non-violent protesters and who authorised it.\u201cThe Supreme Court has stated that pellet guns may be used in exceptional circumstances. First, did the peaceful protesters actually create such exceptional circumstances on July 20th?… There was no situation that warranted the use of pellet guns…. The Supreme Court should have rigorously examined whether the circumstances truly justified an action that caused a person to lose their eyesight. The second point is: Can pellet guns be used against peaceful protesters under any circumstances?... Ultimately, the Home Minister was responsible for supervision and issuing orders… The Supreme Court, too, needs to give serious and strict consideration to these matters, rather than simply rubber-stamping or endorsing such measures,\u201d Das said.His remarks came after the Supreme Court heard a petition challenging the Delhi Police\u2019s use of pellet guns during the July 20 march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament, during which several protesters were injured, and some allegedly suffered permanent loss of eyesight.The CJP has maintained that the march was peaceful and that the police response was disproportionate.According to the party, police attempted to stop the procession through a lathi charge and the firing of pellet guns. Das sought to place responsibility squarely on the government rather than on procedural justifications for the use of force.\u201cThe opposition is doing its job. Its role is precisely to ask questions and hold the government accountable. I saw that a discussion was taking place in Parliament. There ought to be a discussion on who issued the orders on July 20th, and who will answer for the conduct of the police towards the protesters and the brutality inflicted upon them? Naturally, the Home Minister should provide an answer regarding this matter,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Share your thoughts in the comments<\/p>\n<\/div>\n