Opposition and journalists accuse Indian police of abuses during protests
Indian opposition figures and journalists accuse police of heavy-handed tactics at weekend protests against the country's chief election official. New Delhi was locked down again on Monday ahead of a new march called by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi.
Opposition leaders and journalists in India have accused police of heavy-handed tactics during weekend protests in the capital, New Delhi. On Monday, 12 October, authorities deployed thousands of personnel in the city centre for a third consecutive day, set up metal barricades and closed key metro stations ahead of a fresh march against the head of the election authority.
The protests were sparked by allegations of voter list manipulation during a nationwide roll revision. Critics say it could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Election Commission of India, which oversees voting in the world's most populous country, denies any wrongdoing.
Detentions and accusations
Local media report that thousands of protesters were detained over a chaotic weekend, including members of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement. Most, including three top CJP leaders, have since been released. The opposition says the mass detentions were an attempt to suppress dissent.
John Brittas, a member of parliament from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), alleges police manhandled, dragged and assaulted him on Sunday. He called it an assault on democratic freedoms and the rule of law. Police did not answer questions about detentions at a news conference on Sunday.
Several journalists say they were detained despite visibly displaying press cards. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says at least 16 journalists were held and called the actions unacceptable.
A new march
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition Congress party, urged supporters to march to the Supreme Court on Monday. On social media he said there was nothing to fear. The CJP, which has millions of social media followers, has pledged to keep protesting until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar steps down.
The protests have become one of the most significant political challenges of Modi's third term. According to media reports, the revision removed more than 133 million names from electoral lists. Critics say this has disproportionately affected minorities, particularly Muslims. Election authorities say the aim was to eliminate duplicate, deceased and fraudulent entries.
