Delhi protests: India slams UN statement, calls it 'interference' in internal affairs

India today (11 October) described the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' statement about mass detentions and traffic curbs in New Delhi yesterday as "unwarranted" and "an unacceptable interference" in its internal affairs.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, "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 the maintenance of public order and safety. Our law enforcement authorities act strictly in accordance with the law, and our courts remain available to all for the redressal of any grievances," it added. 

"The OHCHR's concerns are therefore unwarranted and constitute an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of India," it said.

The MEA continued, "The OHCHR has an approach of extreme selectivity when it comes to public positions. Violent responses to protests in our neighbourhood have gone uncommented, as indeed have law enforcement actions in its own vicinity."

"Such double standards only erode the credibility of its standing and contribute to the loss of faith in multilateralism," the ministry said.

The United Nations expressed concerns yesterday over "mass detentions" in Delhi amid the ongoing anti-CEC protest. The international organisation called on the authorities to uphold the people's right to assemble peacefully.

The remarks came as Delhi Police detained over 4,000 people marching towards Jantar Mantar to hold a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the poll body.

In a press release issued amid ongoing detentions in Delhi, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said, "We are concerned by reports of mass detentions of demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists, before and during today's large-scale demonstrations in Delhi."

UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan also urged the authorities to "exercise utmost restraint" in tackling the protesters. "We also urge the authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue to address the broadly held concerns expressed," it said.

The CJP had planned to stage a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi. However, Delhi Police denied permission for the protest, while heavy security and roadblocks prevented most demonstrators from reaching the site.

The group said its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, and two other leaders, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were detained shortly after their flight from Mumbai landed in Delhi.

Delhi Police have not issued a public statement on their detentions.