The OHCHR voiced concern over reports that demonstrators, protest leaders, lawyers, journalists and civil society members were detained in Delhi before and during large-scale protests. | Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP

The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) on Saturday voiced concern over reports that demonstrators, protest leaders, lawyers, journalists and civil society members were detained in Delhi before and during large-scale protests, and urged India to respect the right to peaceful assembly.

“We are concerned by reports of mass detentions in India... before and during today’s large-scale demonstrations in Delhi,” spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said.

The office said any limits on peaceful protest must pass “strict tests of necessity and proportionality,” and called on authorities to ensure police show “utmost restraint.” It demanded that “all those arbitrarily detained must be immediately and unconditionally released,” and urged “meaningful dialogue” on the concerns being raised.

The statement came as Delhi Police tightened security across the capital. Police refused permission for a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, deployed personnel around the site, and detained people trying to gather there and elsewhere in the city.

Published on October 10, 2026