Lok Sabha Passes Births And Deaths Bill Amid Pellet Gun Controversy

The Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill 2026 on Friday. This legislation aims to digitize civil records and create a national-level database to streamline government services. The bill proposes using the birth certificate as a primary document for various services, including educational admissions and driving licenses. The passage occurred amidst intense shouting matches as opposition members staged a walkout over unrelated issues and the government’s handling of recent civil unrest.

Concurrent with the legislative progress, the Supreme Court of India intervened in a row regarding the use of pellet guns during recent Delhi protests. Medical experts confirmed that several injured protesters have wounds consistent with high-velocity pellet fire. The apex court directed the Delhi government to ensure immediate and comprehensive medical treatment for all victims. This development follows a plea to ban the use of such weapons for crowd control, prompting the court to re-examine existing security protocols and the necessity of non-lethal alternatives.

The new bill will likely accelerate India's digital public infrastructure goals by centralizing vital statistics. However, civil rights groups and opposition leaders have raised concerns about data privacy and the potential for surveillance. The simultaneous controversy over police tactics suggests a deepening friction between state security measures and public dissent. Looking ahead, the bill moves to the Rajya Sabha for final approval, while the Supreme Court’s review of police protocols could significantly alter how security forces manage large-scale demonstrations across the country.