Indian police accused of sexual harassment against journalists at protest

Three female journalists have alleged that Indian police engaged in sexual harassment during recent protests in Delhi. The incidents came to light after police detained numerous young people demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Protesters gathered in Delhi and Mumbai for three consecutive days, advocating for Kumar's removal due to changes to voter rolls.

Delhi Police confirmed receiving the complaint and transferring it to their crime branch for further investigation. Videos show protesters being physically removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site in central Delhi. The accusations include inappropriate touching by some police officers. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi stated that women fear for their safety and called for the Home Ministry to address the issue.

Witnesses testified that police resorted to brutality during the protests. The voter roll revision is said to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party. The Election Commission claims the exercise aims to eliminate duplicate and ineligible entries. The protesters, who include supporters of the influential Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), argue the changes will aid Modi's party.

The CJP gained significant traction in July after successfully pressuring Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign over education reforms. The CJP called for this latest protest after a report in The Indian Express revealed that Kumar and two other election commissioners had formally objected to decisions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, which began the previous year.

The Commission maintains that differing opinions are part of the decision-making process and all decisions are made unanimously. However, the allegations have ignited a controversy, with opposition leaders demanding Kumar's resignation.