India Calls UN Human Rights Office’s Remarks on CJP Protest ‘Misplaced’, Terms Them ‘Unwarranted Interference’

October 11, 2026

New Delhi: India has described the concerns raised by the United Nations Human Rights Office over the police action against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters in Delhi as “misplaced” and termed the remarks “unwarranted interference” in the country’s internal affairs. The government maintained that India is the world’s largest democracy, where people have the right to peaceful protest, subject to reasonable restrictions.

In a post on X, the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva said the right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed by the Constitution and safeguarded by robust institutions, an independent judiciary and a free media.

“As in every democracy, Indian citizens exercise this right subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order,” the mission said, adding that authorities act in accordance with the law and that courts remain available to citizens seeking redressal of grievances.

India also called on the UN human rights body to pay considerable attention to large-scale protests in other parts of the world and remain consistent with its mandate of impartiality and non-selectivity.

CJP Protest Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

The CJP had announced a protest on Saturday against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging discrepancies in the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive. However, Delhi Police denied permission for the demonstration at Jantar Mantar, citing law-and-order concerns.

Security was subsequently intensified across the national capital, and hundreds of people were detained, including CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.

Although most detainees were released, Dipke, Das and Ranka remained in police custody, according to the report.

UN Raises Concerns Over Detentions

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed concern over the detentions and urged Indian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly. It also called for the immediate release of anyone arbitrarily detained and encouraged the authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue to address the concerns raised by protesters.

“We call on the authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and fulfilled,” UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said in a statement.

He added that restrictions on peaceful protests must meet strict tests of necessity and proportionality.

India’s response comes amid a wider disagreement over the handling of the CJP protest and the limits placed on demonstrations in the national capital.