New Delhi. The Government of India has strongly disagreed with the comments of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the precautionary detention of protesters during protests in Delhi. On Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement calling the office's concerns unjustified and terming it interference in India's internal affairs. India questioned the stance of OHCHR and also criticized its alleged double standards.
India said- Constitution gives right to peaceful demonstration
The Ministry of External Affairs said in its statement that it has taken note of the comments of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the incidents that took place on Saturday in New Delhi. India is the world's largest democracy and the right to peacefully assemble is guaranteed in its Constitution.
According to the ministry, strong institutions, independent judiciary and independent media in the country play an important role in protecting this right. However, like other democratic countries, citizens in India also exercise this right under the conditions of maintaining public order and security.
'Our agencies work as per the law'
The Ministry of External Affairs said that Indian agencies work as per the law. The courts of the country are available to all citizens for redressal of any grievance. In such a situation, the concerns raised by OHCHR are baseless and are unnecessary interference in the internal affairs of India, which cannot be accepted.
Questions raised on OHCHR's attitude, allegations of double standards
The Government of India also raised questions about the public statements of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Ministry of External Affairs said that OHCHR has been selective in its response to public incidents. According to the ministry, the office did not make similar comments regarding the violent reactions to protests in India's neighboring region and the strict police action elsewhere. India alleged that such double standards undermine the credibility of the institution and harm trust in multilateralism.
OHCHR had expressed concern over detention
In fact, the United Nations Human Rights Office had expressed concern over the precautionary detention of people during protests in Delhi on Saturday. After this, India responded on social media platform X, calling this comment an unnecessary interference in the internal affairs of the country.
Citing constitutional rights, rule of law and judicial system, India's statement said that institutional arrangements are in place in the country for redressal of complaints. There has been a public disagreement between India and the United Nations Human Rights Office on this issue.
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