Opposition figures and journalists allege police abuses during India protests

Opposition leaders and journalists accused Indian police of heavy‑handed tactics during weekend demonstrations in New Delhi, where authorities locked down the capital on Monday ahead of a rally called by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. Thousands of police and security personnel were deployed for a third consecutive day, erecting heavy metal barricades, closing six major metro stations and sealing off central roads. The protests were sparked by allegations that the Election Commission’s nationwide voter‑list revision removed more than 133 million names, a move critics say could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. During the chaotic weekend, thousands of demonstrators, including members of the youth‑led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), were detained; three top CJP leaders were later released. Parliamentarian John Brittas of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) claimed he was “manhandled, dragged, assaulted” by police, describing the incident as an assault on democratic freedoms and the rule of law.

The police response has become the focal point of criticism, with opposition figures alleging a systematic effort to suppress dissent through mass detentions. Reporters Without Borders reported that at least 16 journalists were detained despite displaying press credentials, labeling the actions “unacceptable.” Local media corroborated claims that journalists were among those arrested, while police declined to comment on the detentions during a Sunday news conference. The voter‑list revision itself has drawn sharp criticism for disproportionately affecting minorities, particularly Muslims, even as the Election Commission maintains the purge targeted duplicate, deceased and fraudulent entries.

The standoff is set to continue as Gandhi urges supporters to march to the Supreme Court, promising that “there is nothing to fear” and dismissing the police as “cowards.” The CJP, which commands millions of social‑media followers, pledged to keep protesting until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns. The protests have coalesced into one of the most significant political challenges of Modi’s third term, uniting opposition parties, student groups and activists against what they view as an undemocratic electoral overhaul, while the heavy police presence underscores the government’s determination to contain the dissent.

⚡ Effects Interpreter