Indian Police Accused of Sexual Harassment against Journalists at Protest
BBC News reports on allegations of sexual harassment by police officers against female journalists during street protests in New Delhi, India.
Claims Arise Following Detentions
Three female journalists have accused Delhi Police of inappropriate touching and other forms of sexual harassment during protests against the Election Commission's large-scale changes to voter rolls. The claims emerged on Saturday, following the detention of numerous young protesters calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Police Respond to Complaints
In a social media post, Delhi Police acknowledged receiving a complaint and transferred it to their crime branch for a "fair and impartial" investigation. Meanwhile, thousands of protesters gathered in Delhi and Mumbai on Sunday for a third consecutive day, demanding Kumar's resignation over the controversial voter roll revisions.
Opposition Leader Critics Police Actions
Rahul Gandhi, an opposition leader, condemned the police actions, stating that women are fearful for their safety and that the home ministry must address these concerns. Protester Aahna Singh recounted her experience to Reuters, describing police brutality and being dragged by her hair.
Press Club of India Demands Action
The Press Club of India expressed shock and dismay over the treatment of journalists, calling for immediate action on the complaints against police officers. They emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable in a democracy and that journalists should be able to work freely without fear.
Background of Protest
Protesters argue that the voter roll revisions will benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Election Commission maintains that the exercise aims to remove duplicate and ineligible entries, with 130 million names already removed from the voters' list. However, opposition parties accuse Kumar of manipulating the list to favor the BJP during elections, allegations both the BJP and Election Commission have denied.
Cockroach Janta Party Involvement
The protests include supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online satirical movement that has successfully pressured government officials in the past, such as forcing Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign in July due to education reform protests. The CJP organized the latest protest following a report in The Indian Express revealing disagreements between Kumar and his fellow election commissioners over various decisions.