UN Human Rights Office Criticized by India Over Crowd Detentions

India’s foreign ministry has strongly objected to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for its remarks on the arrest of participants in a Saturday protest in Delhi. The ministry labelled the UN’s observations as "unfounded" and a violation of the principle that external actors should not interfere in a nation’s internal matters.

In the statement, officials reiterated that the Indian Constitution enshrines the right to peaceful assembly, safeguarded by a robust legal system, an independent judiciary and a free press. They added that citizens may exercise this right while respecting public order, and that police actions were taken in accordance with the law. Any complaints, they said, are subject to judicial review.

The Indian government also accused the OHCHR of selective criticism, noting the absence of commentary on violent incidents during recent protests in France and Germany, as well as on strict police responses in those countries. According to New Delhi, this uneven approach erodes the UN body’s credibility and fuels doubts about the effectiveness of multilateral dialogue.

When the UN office voiced concern about the detentions, India responded on the X platform, calling the remarks an unnecessary intrusion into sovereign affairs.