India on Sunday rejected remarks from the OHCHR regarding events in New Delhi. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "India is the world's largest democracy, where the right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed by our Constitution." He called the UN body’s concerns unwarranted and accused them of interfering in internal affairs.
In no uncertain terms, India on Sunday rejected remarks made by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) regarding events in New Delhi, calling its concerns "unwarranted" and accusing the UN body of interfering in the country's internal affairs. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a statement on X, defended Delhi's record on peaceful assembly, stating that the right is guaranteed by the Constitution and protected by the country's institutions, an independent judiciary and a free media. "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," Jaiswal added. The diplomat also criticised what he described as the UN human rights office's "extreme selectivity" in issuing public statements. The response came after the United Nations expressed concern over mass detentions in Delhi amid protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstrations have been accompanied by heightened security measures and restrictions in parts of the national capital. The protests, called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and other groups, are linked to demands for Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Delhi Police denied permission for the CJP's proposed October 10 demonstration at Jantar Mantar, citing short notice, alleged violations during earlier protests and concerns over public safety, traffic and law and order.