India responds to UN over protest detentions, says police act strictly as per law

The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday said its law enforcement authorities act strictly in accordance to the land's law and order, responding to the United Nation's call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those it described as "arbitrarily detained" during protests in the National Capital.

"We also note that the OHCHR has an approach of extreme selectivity when it comes to public positions," the MEA said in its response.

The remarks come a day after Indian police personnel detained over 7,000 protestors including leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), namely Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka over their planned protest against the working of the Election Commission of India, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.


Also Read: India calls out 'unwarranted interference in internal affairs' after UN demands immediate release of all 'arbitrarily detained' in Delhi protests

The UN expressed concerns over the mass detention of protestors, lawyers, journalists and members of civil society organisations.

“We call on the authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and fulfilled,” it said.

The MEA, in its response, said India was the world's largest democracy, where right to peaceful assembly was guaranteed by the Constitution and protected by institutions, a 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," the MEA said in its response.

"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 MEA added.

Earlier on Saturday, The Permanent Mission of India to the UN responded to the concerns saying they were "misplaced" and "unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of India."

Also Read: CJP protest: Delhi Police detains more than 3,000 protestors

“The authorities, for their part, act in accordance with the law, and our courts remain available to all for redressal of any grievances,” the mission said in a statement reiterated by the Ministry of External Affairs.

India also urged the UN human rights office to apply its mandate impartially. “In this context, OHCHR would also do well to devote comparable attention to large-scale protests elsewhere, consistent with its mandate of impartiality and non-selectivity,” the statement said.