The United Nations human rights office has expressed serious concern over the mass detention of protesters in Delhi during demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The UN has urged Indian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release everyone detained arbitrarily.
In a statement issued on Saturday night, UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said reports of detentions involving protesters, protest leaders, civil society members, lawyers and journalists were worrying. The office stressed that the right to peaceful assembly must be respected and that any restrictions on protests must meet strict standards.
The UN also called on law enforcement agencies to exercise utmost restraint, in line with India’s democratic traditions and human rights obligations. It urged authorities to engage with protesters and address their concerns through dialogue.
The demonstrations were organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on October 10. Protesters demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. Police detained CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, along with opposition leaders and other demonstrators.
Reports later said thousands of detainees had been released, while CJP leaders remained in custody as legal procedures continued. The controversy has intensified debate over the right to protest and electoral transparency in India.
