Punjab rights body seeks release of detained Delhi protesters

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Democratic Rights Sabha Punjab demands repeal of 2023 election law, alleges curbs on peaceful dissent

Gurdaspur: Democratic Rights Sabha Punjab has condemned the alleged police crackdown on protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Delhi, demanding the immediate release of detained protesters, activists and journalists.

In a statement issued on October 12, the organisation alleged that thousands of people participating in peaceful demonstrations at Jantar Mantar had been detained from their homes, while travelling and on the streets over the preceding two days. It accused the authorities of undermining constitutional rights through a heavy police deployment across the National Capital.

The organisation urged its units to coordinate with public and democratic groups to oppose what it described as the suppression of peaceful dissent.

The statement followed a meeting of the organisation’s state committee in Ludhiana, chaired by Professor Jagmohan Singh. General secretary Pritpal Singh and press secretary Amarjit Shastri shared details of the proceedings with the media.

Questions over electoral roll revision

The organisation questioned the electoral roll revision process and the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI). It claimed that more than 13 crore voters had been removed from electoral rolls through unilateral action by the Chief Election Commissioner, despite differences with other election commissioners.

It also demanded the repeal of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, arguing that the law gave the ruling government an effective majority in the selection of election commissioners.

The organisation objected to Section 16 of the Act, which provides legal protection against civil and criminal proceedings for actions undertaken by the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners while discharging their official duties.

It further alleged that the deletion of names from electoral rolls could be linked to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the future, raising concerns that people could face questions over their citizenship because their names were missing from voter lists.

Demands action over alleged police inaction

The organisation accused the Delhi Police of failing to prevent members of the Bajrang Dal from confronting protesters. It also alleged that a woman demonstrator had faced an assault on her dignity and demanded accountability over the incident.

Among its key demands, the organisation called for the immediate release of all detained protesters, activists and journalists and an end to alleged retaliatory action against demonstrators.

It also urged the authorities not to misuse Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which empowers officials to issue orders in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger, to restrict freedom of assembly and expression.

The organisation also demanded the repeal of the 2023 election law and initiation of impeachment proceedings against the Chief Election Commissioner.

The allegations and demands were made by Democratic Rights Sabha Punjab in its statement. The statement did not include responses from the Delhi Police, the Centre or the ECI.