UN raises concerns over Delhi protest detentions, India responds

Millat Times Desk

11 October 2026 (Publish: 08:55 AM IST)

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The United Nations Human Rights Office has raised concerns over reports of mass detentions during protests in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. 

India’s mission to the United Nations in Geneva has rejected the concerns, defending the country’s handling of protests and questioning the UN office’s focus on the demonstrations.

Delhi witnessed sweeping security restrictions ahead of Saturday’s protest at Jantar Mantar against the Election Commission of India. More than 6,000 people were reportedly detained, while several hundred others were stopped from entering the national capital to participate in the demonstration.

Authorities reportedly shut 45 metro stations, cancelled at least 245 trains, suspended mobile internet services across large parts of Central Delhi and erected multiple layers of barricades. Dozens of journalists were also detained, with several alleging a harsh crackdown by police and security agencies.

In a statement, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan expressed concern over reports of mass detentions involving demonstrators, protest leaders, civil society members, lawyers and journalists before and during the large-scale demonstrations.

Al-Kheetan urged Indian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly and ensure that any restrictions on protests met strict standards of necessity and proportionality. The UN also called on law enforcement agencies to exercise “utmost restraint” when dealing with peaceful protesters, in line with India’s democratic traditions and international human rights obligations.

The UN further urged authorities to immediately and unconditionally release everyone arbitrarily detained and engage in meaningful dialogue to address protesters’ concerns.

Responding to the statement, India’s mission in Geneva described the concerns raised by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) as “misplaced” and an “unwarranted interference” in India’s internal affairs.

“India is the world’s largest democracy, where the right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed by our Constitution and safeguarded by robust institutions, an independent judiciary and a free media,” the mission said.

It added that, as in other democracies, the right to peaceful assembly was subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order. The mission maintained that authorities had acted in accordance with the law and that individuals could approach the courts to address their grievances.

India also questioned the UN office’s focus on the Delhi demonstrations, urging it to give comparable attention to large-scale protests elsewhere.

“In this context, OHCHR would also do well to devote comparable attention to large-scale protests elsewhere, consistent with its mandate of impartiality and non-selectivity,” the mission said.