In a statement posted on social media, India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva defended the authorities’ handling of the demonstrations, asserting that the right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed by the Constitution and protected by the country’s democratic institutions, independent judiciary and free media.
“We have seen the OHCHR’s remarks about today’s events in New Delhi,” the mission said, referring to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
“As in every democracy, Indian citizens exercise this right subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order,” it added, maintaining that the authorities act in accordance with the law and that courts remain available to citizens seeking redress.
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. The OHCHR’s concerns are therefore misplaced and constitute an unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of India. 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. @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @PMOIndia @DrSJaishankar @abagchimea
— India at UN, Geneva (@IndiaUNGeneva) October 10, 2026
The mission also urged the UN human rights office to pay comparable attention to large-scale protests elsewhere in the world, arguing that its mandate should be guided by impartiality and non-selectivity.
UN raises alarm over mass detentions
The response came after the OHCHR expressed concern over reports of mass detentions involving demonstrators, protest leaders, civil society members, lawyers and journalists before and during Saturday’s large-scale demonstrations in Delhi.
UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan called on Indian authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly was fully respected and fulfilled.
The UN office stressed that restrictions on peaceful protests must meet strict tests of necessity and proportionality.
It also urged law enforcement agencies to exercise utmost restraint while dealing with peaceful demonstrators, in keeping with India’s democratic traditions and human rights obligations.
“All those arbitrarily detained must be immediately and unconditionally released,” the UN spokesperson said.
The office further called for meaningful dialogue to address the concerns raised by protesters.
Thousands detained as Delhi protest is blocked
The diplomatic exchange followed a sweeping security operation in the national capital on Saturday, when authorities moved to prevent a planned demonstration by the Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar.
The protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
The Election Commission and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have rejected allegations of political manipulation.