Amnesty International: End the crackdown on peaceful protests in India

Amnesty International, CIVICUS, Front Line Defenders, and South Asians for Human Rights have issued a joint statement condemning the violent crackdown on protesters in New Delhi. The protests, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student groups on 10 October 2026, were in response to reports that 130 million names were removed from electoral rolls. Indian authorities banned gatherings, deployed over 50,000 security personnel, and restricted access to Delhi. Reports indicate at least 10,000 people were detained across India. The crackdown involved the arbitrary detention of journalists, activists, and lawyers, the use of excessive force, reports of sexual harassment against female protesters, and mobile internet shutdowns in New Delhi. The rights groups are calling for the immediate release of those detained, independent investigations into security force abuses, and an end to restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly.

