Protesters march on Delhi Police HQ: Women demand justice after 'harrowing' reports of assault

The Delhi Police have registered at least 10 FIRs in connection with alleged assaults on protesters during the ongoing demonstrations in the national capital.

This comes a week after sustained pressure from citizens, activists and media organisations across social media platforms demanding action against alleged assailants, including members of right-wing groups, accused of attacking protesters.

According to details shared by the police, an FIR was registered at Connaught Place police station on October 13 in connection with incidents highlighted in videos shared online. The police said one accused, identified as Gaurav, had been arrested, while the other accused were being traced. CCTV footage relating to the incidents is also being examined to identify those involved and establish the sequence of events.

In another case, four people were arrested after a video allegedly showing individuals assaulting and harassing protesters, including a minor girl, went viral on social media. The case was registered at Kamla Market police station on October 11 under Sections 115(2), 126(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The police said legal action had been initiated against those involved and further proceedings were under way.- Lavpreet Kaur

Six U.S. Democratic lawmakers, including Pramila Jayapal and Ilhan Omar, have urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to raise with his Indian interlocutors the alleged excessive use of force during student protests in Delhi and other parts of India.

The congresspersons – Jayapal, Omar, Jim McGovern, Rashida Tlaib, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Jesus Garcia – accused the Indian Embassy here and consulates in other American cities of deploying photographers for surveillance of protesters carrying out demonstrations in support of the Cockroach Janta Party.

Mr. Rubio is visiting India next week and meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai.- PTI

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday (October 17, 2026) hit back at Union minister Rajnath Singh over his “regime change” charge against the Congress, saying it is the people who want a regime change, and that it is “time to go” for this government.

Mr. Sibal’s remarks came a day after Mr. Singh lashed out at the Congress and its allies over the protests in the national capital against alleged electoral irregularities, accusing them of seeking a regime change on the lines of Bangladesh and using the energy of youth to spread “anarchy”.

In a post on X, Mr. Sibal said, “Rajnath Singh: You allege that Congress wants ‘regime change’ the Bangladesh route. No. People want ‘regime change’.”

“Protests with the slogan ‘India against corruption’ brought you power. Then: You embraced corruption; captured institutions; manipulated voters list. Time to go!” the Independent MP said. -- PTI

Actor-activist Prakash Raj has asserted that peaceful nationwide protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the SIR of electoral rolls would persist despite attempts to “suppress” them.

He was speaking to reporters after attending a protest meeting against Chief Election Commissioner Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls at Manaveeyam Veedhi here on Friday.

Before the event began, police intervened, saying the organisers did not obtain permission to use a microphone.

This led to a minor tussle, after which the police allowed the event to continue.

Mr. Raj said the country’s youth would continue to protest peacefully, drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh. -- PTI

The anguish, anger and responsibility of the youth of the country will change the regime, actor and activist Prakash Raj said here on Friday (October 16, 2026). He urged the youth to keep their fight going with a smile, “because our smile, our laughter is our resilience.”

Mr. Prakash Raj was addressing a packed audience at the Manaveeyam Veedhi in the State capital, which had transformed into a protest zone on Friday evening, raising the slogans “Stop Special Intensive Revision (SIR)” and “Dismiss (Chief Election Commissioner) Gyanesh Kumar.” The event, Jantar Mantar@ Manaveeyam Veedhi, was organised by Collective for Democracy.

Youth of the country on the verge of building a new India, says Prakash Raj in Keralam’s Thiruvananthapuram

Youth of the country on the verge of building a new India, says Prakash Raj in Keralam’s Thiruvananthapuram

Six US Democratic lawmakers, including Pramila Jayapal and Ilhan Omar, have urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to raise with his Indian interlocutors the alleged excessive use of force during student protests in Delhi and other parts of India.

The congresspersons – Jayapal, Omar, Jim McGovern, Rashida Tlaib, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Jesus Garcia – accused the Indian Embassy here and consulates in other American cities of deploying photographers for surveillance of protesters carrying out demonstrations in support of the Cockroach Janata Party.

Mr. Rubio is visiting India next week and meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai.

“We write with concern regarding a pattern of repression, wrongful detention, and excessive use of force by security forces during student protests in Delhi and other localities across India,” the congresspersons said in a letter to Mr. Rubio on Friday (October 16, 2026). -- PTI