Last Updated on October 11, 2026 12:48 am by INDIAN AWAAZ
India rejects the UN Human Rights Office’s observations
By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/GENEVA: The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed concern over reports of mass detentions of protesters, political and protest leaders, civil society members, lawyers and journalists in Delhi, urging Indian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly and immediately release all those arbitrarily detained.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the UN office called on the authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and fulfilled. It stressed that restrictions on peaceful demonstrations must meet strict tests of necessity and proportionality.
The UN also urged law enforcement agencies to exercise the utmost restraint while dealing with peaceful protesters, in keeping with India’s democratic traditions and human rights obligations. It called for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained and urged the authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue to address the concerns being raised by demonstrators.
The Government of India has officially rejected the UN Human Rights Office’s observations, describing its concerns as “misplaced” and an “unwarranted interference” in India’s internal affairs. India’s response was issued on October 10, 2026, through the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in Geneva.
The UN intervention came as Delhi witnessed extensive security arrangements and widespread detentions ahead of a planned demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and associated groups. The protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Delhi under tight security
Police barricades, detentions and restrictions on movement disrupted several parts of the national capital on Saturday. Authorities prevented the main protest gathering from reaching Jantar Mantar, the designated protest site, amid a heavy deployment of police and security personnel.
Media reports said CJP leaders, student activists, opposition figures, lawyers and other public personalities were among those detained. The reported scale of detentions varied across news organisations, with several accounts reporting hundreds of people held and some reporting more than 1,000 detentions.
Security restrictions also affected public movement. Access to several Metro stations was restricted, while mobile internet services were suspended in parts of central Delhi, according to media reports. Train services also faced disruption.
Despite the restrictions, protesters attempted to assemble at several locations, including Dilli Haat, Connaught Place, Safdarjung Flyover, Gole Market and areas around Sansad Marg. These smaller, dispersed demonstrations followed the prevention of a central gathering at Jantar Mantar. Police detained demonstrators at multiple locations, and reports also described the use of force against some protesters.
The protests were called over allegations of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties and activists have questioned the exercise and demanded accountability from the Election Commission. The Election Commission and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party have denied allegations of wrongdoing.
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