India Rejects UN Concerns Over Delhi Protest, Calls Its Remarks Interference
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
India has rejected the United Nations’ concerns over a protest in Delhi, describing them as misplaced and accusing the international body of interfering in the country’s internal affairs.
India Defends Right to Peaceful Assembly
In a statement shared by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in Geneva, India said the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to peaceful assembly, subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order.
The mission said the right was safeguarded by India's institutions, an independent judiciary and a free media. It maintained that authorities had acted in accordance with the law and that judicial remedies were available to anyone who believed their rights had been violated.
India also urged the UN Human Rights Office to pay comparable attention to large-scale protests in other parts of the world, calling for impartiality and non-selectivity in its approach.
UN Raises Concerns Over Mass Detentions
The Indian response followed concerns raised by the UN Human Rights Office over reports of mass detentions during protests in New Delhi. The UN urged authorities to uphold the right to peaceful assembly and exercise restraint.
The demonstrations were called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and other groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Protesters and opposition groups have raised concerns about the electoral roll revision process, while the Election Commission's role has come under renewed scrutiny.
Delhi Police Cites Security and Public Order
Delhi Police denied permission for the CJP's proposed October 10 demonstration at Jantar Mantar, citing the short notice, alleged violations during earlier protests and concerns over public safety, traffic and law and order.
The restrictions prompted legal scrutiny, with the Supreme Court intervening over measures affecting public transport and stressing the need to balance the right to protest with the uninterrupted delivery of essential services.
India has maintained that its authorities acted within the law, rejecting the UN body's concerns as misplaced and describing its remarks as unwarranted interference in the country's internal affairs.
