Amnesty International has expressed concern regarding the rights of protesters

The international human rights organization Amnesty International has expressed concern regarding the rights of protesters following demonstrations in Delhi and Mumbai.

Amnesty International stated on Friday that government permission is not required to stage a protest. According to the organization, the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.

Amnesty International wrote on X, "The right to protest does not depend on government permission. It is protected under the Indian Constitution and international human rights law."

"Protesters in Delhi and Mumbai are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This demand arises amidst an ongoing controversy regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted by the Election Commission. Since 2025, the names of over 130 million (13 crore) people have been removed from the electoral rolls."

"Authorities issued orders to ban the protests, arrested hundreds of peaceful demonstrators, and suspended internet and public transport services."

Amnesty International wrote, "These measures constitute a blatant attack on the right to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly. Those detained without valid grounds must be released immediately, and authorities must guarantee the right to protest."

Notably, the Delhi Police had denied permission for the protest at Jantar Mantar, and prohibitory orders under Section 163 were imposed in several areas of New Delhi.

According to BBC correspondent Dilnawaz Pasha, hundreds of protesters were detained by the police before they could even reach Jantar Mantar.