NEW DELHI (Indian Catholic News) — India’s largest Catholic lay organisation has demanded the release of detained protesters and an independent inquiry into alleged police abuses, warning that restrictions on peaceful demonstrations and press freedom threaten democratic rights.
The All India Catholic Union (AICU) issued its demands amid a crackdown on youth protests against the conduct of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It called for the restoration of Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site in New Delhi, and urged the government to ensure the Election Commission functions impartially.
The organisation said the response to the demonstrations had involved mass detentions, prohibitory orders and police action against protesters, journalists, lawyers and elected representatives.
“The right to protest” was being undermined, the union said, describing the restrictions as “a direct assault on the right to protest.”
Thousands of opposition supporters marched to India’s Supreme Court on Oct. 12 demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged electoral roll fraud and a controversial voter list revision known as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Allegations of police excesses
The AICU cited reports that more than 200 protesters were detained in a single day, while more than 1,000 volunteers and activists were reportedly taken into custody and held in temporary detention centres.
It also raised concerns about alleged mistreatment of women protesters and journalists. According to the statement, women were allegedly beaten, dragged and mistreated by male police officers. The Students’ Federation of India reported that women participating in a Tiranga Yatra, or national flag march, were illegally detained after 6 p.m.
At least 20 journalists were reportedly detained while covering the protests, the union said. It also alleged that female journalists were harassed and groped by right-wing mobs while police officers failed to intervene.
The statement said lawyers, members of Parliament and opposition leaders had also faced detention or physical mistreatment. These incidents, it argued, undermined the rule of law and the ability of citizens to exercise their constitutional rights.
Concerns over democratic institutions
The union linked the protests to allegations of electoral irregularities and concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission. It cited an Indian Express report that the two other election commissioners had objected to decisions by the chief election commissioner on 14 occasions over 10 months.
The AICU noted that opposition parties had approached the Supreme Court and complained to the chief justice of India over the allegations.
It also condemned the denotification of Jantar Mantar, describing the decision as “a symbolic and substantive blow” to peaceful dissent after 33 years of its use as a designated protest site.
The organization warned that restrictions on demonstrations, the detention of journalists and alleged police violence risked damaging India’s international reputation.
“When the press is treated as an enemy, democracy loses its eyes and ears,” the statement said.
Seven demands for restoring public trust
The AICU called for the immediate release of all detained protesters, journalists, lawyers, members of Parliament and youth activists. It also demanded an independent judicial inquiry into alleged police excesses, particularly those involving women, journalists and lawyers.
Its other demands included restoring Jantar Mantar and the right to peaceful assembly, protecting press freedom and women participating in protests, ensuring transparent and impartial functioning of the Election Commission, ending the vilification of dissenters, and opening dialogue among the government, opposition and civil society.
The union said its position reflected Catholic social teaching, which upholds human dignity, the common good, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
“AICU stands with the youth, journalists, lawyers, MPs and all citizens who seek justice peacefully,” the statement said. “India’s democracy must not become a fortress. It must remain a home for every voice.”
Discover more from Indian Catholic News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.