Indian police have launched an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against officers during protests in the capital, New Delhi. The protests began on Friday, demanding the Election Commission of India chief, Gyanesh Kumar, to step down, citing wrongdoing during a large-scale voter-roll revision that has removed millions of names from the lists. The Election Commission of India has rejected allegations of wrongdoing, but Kumar himself has not commented on the matter.
The harassment allegations surfaced on Saturday when police detained scores of protestors around the government-designated protest site of Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. According to Delhi police, three female journalists made allegations of sexual harassment against police officers. The police have promised a fair and impartial enquiry into the matter. A video posted on social media showed a complainant stating that a police officer pushed and touched her inappropriately.
A third day of protests was slated in the capital on Sunday, with left-wing groups and supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) participating. The CJP, which began as a satirical online movement in May, has succeeded in its campaign to oust the then education minister. CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke warned against a police crackdown and detentions on Saturday, calling for the immediate arrest of the accused officer.
Neha Bora, an activist from a left-wing student organisation, called for protesters to march to New Delhi's central India Gate, stating that women are not safe. The opposition politicians have accused the Election Commission of India of acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). They plan to march to the Election Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday and hold Save Democracy rallies countrywide afterwards.
The Cockroach Janta Party has called for a massive mobilisation of young Indians in New Delhi on October 10. The protests are against the large-scale voter-roll revision that has struck millions of names from the lists. The Election Commission of India has rejected allegations of wrongdoing, but the opposition parties continue to demand action against the commission and its chief, Gyanesh Kumar.
The investigation into the sexual harassment allegations will be conducted by the Delhi police. The police have promised a fair and impartial enquiry and have not made any arrests yet. The protests have been peaceful so far, but there are concerns that the situation could escalate if the demands of the protesters are not met.
The protests in New Delhi have gained momentum, with various groups participating, including left-wing groups and supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party. The opposition parties have also joined the protests, accusing the Election Commission of India of bias. The situation remains tense, with the protests expected to continue in the coming days.
Key points
- Indian police investigate allegations of sexual harassment against officers during protests in New Delhi.
- Protests in New Delhi demand the resignation of Election Commission chief Gyanesh Kumar over alleged wrongdoing during voter-roll revision.
- Opposition parties accuse the Election Commission of India of acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party.
