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India: UN experts urge end to excessive force against protesters
A panel of over 20 independent United Nations human rights experts has called on the Indian government to halt the use of excessive force against opposition and student protesters. The experts are demanding an impartial investigation into reports of demonstrators being injured and subjected to ill-treatment, including allegations of sexual violence and gender-based abuse during detentions.
The protests, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), student organizations, and other opposition groups, are centered on demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The unrest follows a revision of electoral rolls that resulted in the removal of approximately 130 million names. Protesters allege these deletions disproportionately affect impoverished populations and ethnic minorities, such as Muslims, potentially favoring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Election Commission has denied these accusations, stating the removals targeted duplicate, deceased, or otherwise ineligible voters, and noted that an appeals process exists. Meanwhile, human rights groups have reported mass detentions in New Delhi, including journalists and lawyers, and criticized the use of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to ban public gatherings. The Indian government has dismissed international criticism as unwarranted interference in its domestic political affairs.
Entities
Bharatiya Janata Party · Cockroach Janta Party · Election Commission of India · Gyanesh Kumar · India · Narendra Modi · United Nations
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 17 SOURCES] Approximately 130 million names were removed from India's nationwide electoral rolls. www.amnesty.nl · navhindtimes.in · www.aljazeera.com · bahamasspectator.com · stvincenttribune.com · +12 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] The Election Commission stated it was removing duplicate, deceased, and otherwise ineligible voters. www.aljazeera.com · bahamasspectator.com · stvincenttribune.com · tob.news · antiguatribune.com · +6 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] More than 7,000 youths, journalists, human rights defenders, and lawyers were recently detained in New Delhi. maktoobmedia.com · navhindtimes.in · millattimes.com · bahamasspectator.com · stvincenttribune.com
- [● 15 SOURCES] Law enforcement agencies reportedly used lathi charges against unarmed students. maktoobmedia.com · navhindtimes.in · www.aljazeera.com · bahamasspectator.com · stvincenttribune.com · +10 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] Over 20 UN human rights experts called on India to end the crackdown on peaceful protests. maktoobmedia.com · navhindtimes.in · www.aljazeera.com · bahamasspectator.com · stvincenttribune.com · +9 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. www.amnesty.nl · www.aljazeera.com · bahamasspectator.com · stvincenttribune.com · tob.news · +10 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Authorities used Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to ban gatherings of more than five people. www.amnesty.nl · maktoobmedia.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] UN experts expressed concern regarding reports of sexual violence and gender-based abuse during detentions. maktoobmedia.com · www.aljazeera.com · bahamasspectator.com · stvincenttribune.com · antiguatribune.com · +4 more