CJP Protests: India registered a strong objection after the UN human rights office raised concerns over mass detentions linked to large protests in Delhi, saying the OHCHR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights)’s concerns are misplaced and an unwarranted interference.
The Permanent Mission of India in Geneva rejected the concerns, describing them as "misplaced" and an "unwarranted interference" in the country's internal affairs.
"We have seen the OHCHR’s remarks about today’s events in New Delhi. 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. As in every democracy, Indian citizens exercise this right subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order. The authorities, for their part, act in accordance with the law, and our courts remain available to all for redressal of any grievances," India at UN, Geneva, said in a statement on X.
The OHCHR’s concerns are therefore misplaced and constitute an unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of India, it added, asserting that the OHCHR would also do well to devote comparable attention to large-scale protests elsewhere, consistent with its mandate of impartiality and non-selectivity.
ALSO READ: 'Is It System You Doubt, Or Only The Result?': 124 Ex-Bureaucrats Defend EC, SIR Amid Protests
UN Raises Concerns Over Detentions
Earlier, the UN human rights office raised concerns over mass detentions during large-scale protests in Delhi, drawing India's sharp criticism. The UN body urged Indian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly and called for the immediate release of anyone arbitrarily detained.
Thousands of protesters were detained as security forces prevented a planned demonstration by the Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) from reaching Jantar Mantar in central Delhi. However, most of them were released late at night.
The protest was called to demand electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of manipulation of voter lists. The Election Commission and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have denied the allegations.
In a statement on Saturday, UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said the office was "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".
(With Agencies Inputs)
You May Also Like To Watch