CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh backs personnel amid July 20 protest controversy

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh told newly inducted officers that the force will fully support any action taken in the bona fide discharge of duty during the July 20 student protest crackdown in Delhi. He pledged personal accountability, urging personnel to perform their duties fearlessly.

The remarks come amid accusations from opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, that security forces used pellet guns, electric batons, tear‑gas and lathi charges against demonstrators during the "Chalo Sansad" march organized by the Cockroach Janta Party. The CRPF announced an internal post‑event assessment of the Rapid Action Force’s deployment and said a formal Court of Inquiry would be launched only if the review finds violations of standard operating procedures.

The statements aim to address political debate over the handling of the protests and to reassure officers that institutional backing will be provided for decisions made in the interest of national security.