Three female journalists have accused Delhi police of sexual harassment during street protests in the capital over changes to voter rolls.
What Happened
Protesters gathered in Delhi and Mumbai on Sunday, demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, the chief election commissioner.
The demonstrations followed a report that Kumar’s two fellow election commissioners objected at least 14 times to decisions made during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls.
During the protests, videos circulated showing demonstrators being physically dragged from the Jantar Mantar site in central Delhi.
Key Allegations
- Journalists reported inappropriate touching by police officers.
- One activist, Aahna Singh of Jawaharlal Nehru University, said police dragged her by her hair.
- She described the treatment as ‘brutality’.
Official Response
Delhi Police confirmed receiving the complaint and said it had been forwarded to its crime branch for a ‘fair and impartial’ inquiry.
The Press Club of India expressed shock and dismay, stating that ‘behaviour of this kind cannot be normalised in a democracy’.
It called for immediate action to protect journalists’ safety and freedom of reporting.
Background: The Voter Roll Revision
The Election Commission says the voter roll revision aims to remove duplicate and ineligible entries.
It says the last major update was done nearly a quarter of a century ago.
The exercise is intended to account for individuals who have died, left the country, or moved to new addresses.
Political Context
Opposition parties have accused Kumar of manipulating the voter list to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Both the BJP and the Election Commission have denied these claims.
The Election Commission maintains that all decisions were made unanimously and that differing views are part of the normal decision-making process.
Why It Matters
Journalists play a critical role in democratic societies by documenting public protests and holding authorities accountable.
Allegations of harassment undermine trust in the media and the rule of law.
Such incidents raise concerns about the safety of journalists and the integrity of public protest spaces.
What to Watch Next
Delhi Police’s investigation into the complaints is ongoing.
Opposition leaders may continue to demand Kumar’s resignation.
Public reaction to the incident could influence how the Election Commission handles future voter roll revisions.
For more on the protest movement, see the original BBC report.
For background on the Cockroach Janta Party, which led the protests, see previous coverage.
For broader context on India’s electoral process, see the BBC’s coverage of the Election Commission.
Sources & further reading
AI-generated illustration.
