1 hr ago
UN Urges India to Release Protesters Detained in Delhi, Mumbai
People planned protests in Delhi and Mumbai.
The Cockroach Janta Party wanted the head of India’s election commission to resign over claimed problems with voter lists.
Police stopped many people from gathering, and reports said thousands were detained in Delhi and about 400 in Mumbai.
Some opposition leaders and other well-known people were among those detained.
The United Nations Human Rights office said it was worried about the reports.
It asked authorities to allow peaceful protests, use restraint and release people who were detained without proper grounds.
It also urged the authorities to talk with the demonstrators.
Opposition parties said the detentions were an attempt to silence criticism.
The UN Human Rights office expressed concern over reports of mass detentions during protests in Delhi and called for the release of anyone arbitrarily detained.
It urged Indian authorities to respect peaceful assembly, use restraint and engage in meaningful dialogue with demonstrators.
The planned Delhi protest by the Cockroach Janta Party called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
Reports said more than 7,000 people were detained across Delhi amid a major security operation; around 400 were detained at protest locations in Mumbai.
Opposition leaders and other public figures were among those reportedly detained, while opposition parties criticised the operation as suppression of dissent.
- Who
- The UN Human Rights office, Indian authorities, protesters and the Cockroach Janta Party.
- What
- The UN expressed concern over reported mass detentions during protests and called for restraint, dialogue and release of people arbitrarily detained.
- Where
- Delhi and Mumbai, India.
- When
- The statement was issued on Saturday, October 10; the articles do not specify the year.
- Why
- The Delhi mobilisation called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision.
Criticism of the detentions
Authorities’ reported rationale
Protest rights and public order
Criticism of the detentions
The UN Human Rights office said restrictions on peaceful protests must meet strict tests of necessity and proportionality, and called for restraint and dialogue. Opposition figures accused the government of suppressing dissent.
Authorities’ reported rationale
Police said CJP leaders did not have permission to hold the planned protest; reports said authorities deployed personnel to prevent demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar and detained people allegedly protesting without permission.
Key facts
- UN response
- Called for respect for peaceful assembly, utmost restraint, meaningful dialogue and release of those arbitrarily detained.
- Delhi detentions
- Reports said more than 7,000 people were detained across Delhi.
- Mumbai detentions
- Around 400 people were detained at different locations in Mumbai.
- Delhi security deployment
- The supplied reports said more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed.
- Protest call
- The Cockroach Janta Party called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Stated grievance
- The party cited alleged irregularities in electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision.
- Reported injuries
- Two police personnel were reported injured after protesters allegedly threw stones near Akashwani Bhawan.
Quotes
UN Human Rights
The United Nations human rights office.
“We are concerned by reports of mass detentions in India of demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists, before and during today’s large-scale demonstrations in Delhi”
livemint.com
Abhijit Dipke
Convener of the Cockroach Janta Party.
“We are here to be arrested, come and arrest us.”
livemint.com
Sources
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