UN human rights office urges respect for peaceful assembly after mass detentions at Delhi protests

10 October 2026

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) on 10 October 2026 voiced concern over mass detentions of demonstrators, protest leaders, civil society members, lawyers and journalists before and during large-scale protests in Delhi. The demonstration was called by a youth-led movement seeking electoral reforms, whose chief demand is the resignation of the official heading India's election commission. OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said restrictions on peaceful protests must meet strict tests of necessity and proportionality. He said anyone arbitrarily detained must be released immediately and unconditionally. On 11 October a magistrate ordered the release of the three leaders of the Cockroach Janta party, Abhijit Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, on condition that they would not breach peace for a year.