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UN Raises Alarm Over Mass Detentions During Delhi Protests
The Cockroach Janta Party planned a protest in Delhi about how voter lists are being updated.
It also wanted the chief election commissioner to resign.
Police did not allow the planned demonstration, and security measures stopped many people from reaching the protest area.
Many people were detained, although reports gave different totals.
Police sources later said all protesters held at Delhi detention centres had been released except three CJP leaders.
The United Nations said it was worried and called for peaceful protest rights to be respected.
It also said anyone detained without proper grounds should be released.
The Election Commission said the voter-list update is a routine process, while the BJP denied the accusations and criticized the protest.
The UN human rights office urged India to respect peaceful assembly and immediately release anyone arbitrarily detained during Saturday’s Delhi protests.
Hundreds were detained, while officials quoted by PTI said more than 7,000 people had been detained during the day; police sources later said all held at Delhi detention centres had been released except three CJP leaders.
The Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party planned a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding electoral reforms and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged voter-list manipulation.
Delhi Police denied permission for the demonstration, citing inadequate notice and concerns about rule compliance, and imposed restrictions and security measures that kept most protesters from reaching the site.
The Election Commission and BJP denied allegations of political interference; the BJP also accused opposition groups of seeking to destabilize the country.
- Who
- The UN human rights office, Delhi Police, Cockroach Janta Party protesters and leaders, the Election Commission, and the BJP.
- What
- The UN voiced concern over mass detentions during protests and called for peaceful assembly rights to be respected and anyone arbitrarily detained to be released.
- Where
- Delhi, India, including the planned protest site at Jantar Mantar.
- When
- Saturday; the articles do not give a calendar date.
- Why
- The CJP protest demanded electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of voter-list manipulation.
Protesters and UN concerns
Election Commission and BJP responses
Voter-list revision
Protesters and UN concerns
The CJP and opposition parties alleged that the voter-list update involved irregularities and that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar favored the BJP; people in several states alleged their names were wrongly removed.
Election Commission and BJP responses
The Election Commission described the Special Intensive Revision as a routine process to remove deceased, duplicate, or ineligible voters and denied political interference. The BJP also denied the allegations.
Protest and detentions
Protesters and UN concerns
The UN called for respect for peaceful assembly, restraint by law enforcement, meaningful dialogue, and immediate unconditional release of anyone arbitrarily detained.
Election Commission and BJP responses
Delhi Police refused permission, citing inadequate notice and concerns about compliance with rules, and imposed security measures that prevented most demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar.
Political intent
Protesters and UN concerns
The CJP presented the demonstration as a demand for electoral reforms and the CEC’s resignation.
Election Commission and BJP responses
The BJP accused opposition groups of pursuing political agendas, seeking to destabilize the country, and refusing to accept the people’s verdict.
Key facts
- Protest location
- Jantar Mantar, central Delhi.
- Detention reports
- One report said hundreds were detained; officials quoted by PTI said more than 7,000 were detained during the day.
- Later release update
- Police sources quoted by ANI said all protesters held at Delhi detention centres had been released except CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka.
- CJP demands
- Electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- UN response
- Called for peaceful assembly rights, restraint by law enforcement, meaningful dialogue, and immediate unconditional release of anyone arbitrarily detained.
- Election Commission position
- Said the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists is a routine exercise to remove names of deceased, duplicate, or ineligible voters, and denied political interference.
- BJP response
- Denied the allegations and accused opposition groups of trying to destabilize the country.
Quotes
Thameen Al-Kheetan
UN human rights spokesperson
“We call on the authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and fulfilled.”
m.rediff.com
deccanchronicle.com
freepressjournal.in
“Restrictions on peaceful protests must meet strict tests of necessity and proportionality.”
m.rediff.com
UN human rights office
United Nations office responsible for human rights.
“All those arbitrarily detained must be immediately and unconditionally released.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
UN raises concerns over Delhi's mass detentions
Concerned by reports of mass detentions, UN says about Delhi police's crackdown on CJP protest
UN Raises Alarm Over Mass Detentions During Delhi Protests
CJP Protest: UN Urges India To Release Arbitrarily Detained Protesters After Crackdown In New Delhi
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