UN Human Rights Office Expresses Concern Over Detentions During CJP-Led Protests in Delhi

The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has expressed concern over reports of the detention of protesters, movement activists, civil society members, lawyers and journalists during demonstrations led by the Kakroach Janata Party (CJP) in India's capital, New Delhi. The UN body has called for the immediate and unconditional release of those who have been arbitrarily detained.

In a statement, OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said that the right to peaceful assembly must be protected. Any restrictions imposed on demonstrations should comply with strict standards of necessity and proportionality.

The statement urged law enforcement agencies to exercise maximum restraint when dealing with peaceful protesters, stressing that they must act in accordance with India's democratic traditions and international human rights obligations.

The United Nations also called on the authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue with protesters to address their concerns.

Earlier, on Saturday (October 10), CJP activists and supporters staged demonstrations in Delhi demanding the resignation of India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. Alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, they attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar.

Citing Delhi Police sources, Asian News International (ANI) reported that approximately 1,000 protesters were detained at various locations across the capital while attempting to reach the protest site. Security was tightened at major entry points, and vehicles were searched to prevent demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar.

Among those detained were Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal and All India Students' Association leader Neha Bora, both of whom were subsequently released. CJP activists Abhijit Dipke, Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka, along with the party's legal affairs chief, Ratna Singh, were also detained.

In a video posted on the social media platform X following his detention, Kejriwal said that the country's young people had awakened and that protesters could not be intimidated into submission.

Meanwhile, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that she and five Members of Parliament had been detained and driven around for two hours in a vehicle used to transport prisoners.

Delhi Police later released the detained individuals. However, the report stated that legal proceedings against the detained CJP activists would continue.

Meanwhile, regarding the release of lawyers detained during protests near the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said they had been released following his verbal intervention. Earlier, the Supreme Court Bar Association had sought urgent intervention over the detention of the lawyers.