Protests by India's opposition parties and student activists are spreading across Delhi, where scuffles have erupted as police take increasingly forceful measures against demonstrators.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, under whose leadership the Election Commission of India has removed more than 130 million names from the country's voter rolls. Critics say the irregular changes could unfairly benefit the ruling BJP, allegations the party has denied.
For nearly two weeks, flash protests by students demanding both the election chief's resignation and reforms to the electoral process have taken place daily in Delhi. As clashes between police and protesters intensify, officers have adopted harsher tactics, detaining thousands and bundling many onto buses to be transported far from the city to maintain order.
Many students have alleged harsh treatment while in custody and have posted videos on social media. Student activist Ritu Barala is among them. Medical records confirm injuries on her body, and she has yet to recover.
"Police treat us as criminals. It is a protest, and such demonstrations happen all the time. I have been in student politics for ten years and organized many protests. This is not our first protest. I have never been treated like this by any police personnel. This was the first time in my life that I was attacked," Barala said.
Another protester, Noel Belly, shared his experience after being detained on October 10. Days later, he was still too traumatized to return to the protest site.
"Everything happened to me on 10th. After that, I really haven't been able to go back to the protest site. Because there is some trauma, which is there, but then I haven't processed it yet. I have been around people. I have been a bit busy with others, looking after them or transporting them and stuff. I haven't yet processed it, [and] I'm currently not ready to go back to the protest site," he said.
Delhi Police has denied allegations of excessive force, saying officers were enforcing restrictions on unlawful gatherings. Yet scores of petitions have been filed in court, and the Supreme Court has issued notices to the central government and police on cases involving alleged police excesses, the detention of protesters, and restrictions on public movement.
Despite the crackdown, protesters say they will continue their agitation until the chief election official steps down.
"We are asking the Election Commission: why is the government interfering? It's an independent body, and we have questions about the whole process of SIR (Special Intensive Revision), the very unscientific and illegal deletion of votes, denying our rights, and the government should come and ask the Election Commission, why have you done this?" said actor and activist Prakash Raj.
India election protests intensify as students allege harsh treatment by police
