Published Oct 10, 2026 | 10:59 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 10, 2026 | 10:59 PM
Police detaining a protester in Delhi on Saturday.
The United Nations Human Rights Commission on Saturday, 10 October, expressed concern over reports of mass detentions of demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists in India.
“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, UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said in a media statement.
The international rights body urged authorities to respect and uphold the right to peaceful assembly fully. Restrictions on peaceful protests must meet strict tests of necessity and proportionality, it said.
“The Indian authorities should also ensure law enforcement forces exercise utmost restraint in response to peaceful protesters, consistent with the country’s democratic traditions and human rights obligations. All those arbitrarily detained must be immediately and unconditionally released,” the statement read.
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The Geneva-based rights body also urged authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue to address the concerns raised.
Thousands of protesters were detained after they hit the streets demanding the resignation of India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which opposition parties said stripped crores of citizens of their right to adult franchise.
The national capital witnessed an unprecedented lockdown with authorities regulating long-distance trains reaching Delhi, shutting down Metro stations, suspending Internet services, putting up barricades and promulgating prohibitory orders.
The Opposition Congress has called for a fresh wave of agitation from Monday, 12 October.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
