Delhi Protest Spark India-UN Row: UN Seeks Release Of Detainees, India Calls Remarks ‘Unwarranted’

Delhi witnessed a major security crackdown on Saturday as thousands of protesters, including opposition leaders and activists such as Dhruv Rathee, were detained while attempting to reach Jantar Mantar. The demonstration demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The UN Human Rights Office expressed concern over the mass detentions, emphasising the right to peaceful assembly and urging authorities to exercise restraint. It also called for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained. India rejected the criticism as “misplaced” and an “unwarranted interference” in its internal affairs. New Delhi maintained that peaceful assembly is constitutionally guaranteed, while arguing that protests remain subject to reasonable restrictions and that authorities acted in accordance with the law.