A group of 24 United Nations experts has called for an independent investigation into the Indian government’s handling of demonstrations against revisions to electoral rolls, raising concerns over allegations of excessive police force, mass detentions and restrictions on peaceful assembly.
In a statement, the experts urged Indian authorities to end the alleged use of disproportionate force against demonstrators and lift sweeping restrictions on public gatherings. They expressed concern over reports that police used batons against unarmed students, prevented thousands from participating in protests and subjected some demonstrators to mistreatment.
The demonstrations, organized by the youth-led Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), opposition political parties and student organizations, have focused on allegations that approximately 130 million names were removed from India’s electoral rolls during a voter list revision exercise.
Protesters claim the changes could prevent eligible citizens from voting, particularly economically disadvantaged individuals, homeless people and members of the Muslim community. They have also accused the process of potentially benefiting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
However, the Election Commission of India and the BJP have rejected the allegations, maintaining that the revision is intended to identify and remove ineligible voters. Officials have also emphasized that individuals who believe their names were incorrectly deleted can challenge the decision through established procedures.
The UN experts raised additional concerns about the reported detention of more than 7,000 people in New Delhi, including journalists, lawyers, students and human rights advocates. Some detainees allegedly had their mobile phones confiscated and protest-related material deleted.
The experts also cited reports of sexual and gender-based violence against demonstrators, along with restrictions on public transportation, internet access and public gatherings.
They warned against the potential misuse of digital surveillance technologies, including biometric monitoring, and urged authorities to ensure that security measures do not undermine fundamental civil liberties.
According to the experts, the reported actions reflect broader concerns they have previously raised regarding restrictions on peaceful demonstrations, arbitrary detention and the treatment of student activists in India.
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have also criticized the authorities’ response to the protests.
The Indian government has defended the actions of law enforcement agencies, maintaining that police operated within the law. It has also dismissed previous criticism from UN representatives as interference in the country’s domestic affairs.
Meanwhile, the government has rejected demands for the chief election commissioner’s resignation. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale stated that Gyanesh Kumar would not step down from his position.
The UN experts argued that the reported restrictions could violate India’s international human rights obligations, particularly protections relating to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, personal liberty and the right to advocate for human rights.
They called on the government to prevent further alleged abuses, ensure accountability through an independent investigation and protect the democratic rights of citizens to organize peaceful demonstrations and express political grievances.
The experts also emphasized the need to examine the disproportionate impact that restrictions and alleged reprisals may have on women and other vulnerable groups participating in protests.
