Women’s groups and activists marched to the Delhi Police headquarters on October 17, demanding prosecution and disciplinary action against police personnel accused of sexually assaulting and harassing women and transgender protesters during demonstrations against the Election Commission of India.
The protesters gathered near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and marched towards the police headquarters to submit a memorandum seeking accountability over what the organisations described as alleged sexualised and gendered violence during police action. They carried placards and banners and raised slogans against the alleged conduct of police personnel.
The protest was organised by several women’s and students’ organisations, including the All India Democratic Women’s Association, National Federation of Indian Women, All India Progressive Women’s Association, All India Mahila Sanskritik Sangathan, Collective, All India Feminist Alliance, All India Coordination Committee of Working Women, Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan and Purogami Mahila Sangathan.
In a statement cited by The Hindu, the organisations said videos, photographs and personal accounts had documented alleged instances of sexual harassment and physical violence against women, transgender and non-binary protesters during police action since July 20. They said reports of such incidents had intensified from October 2.
The groups referred to footage that they said purportedly showed male police personnel assaulting women protesters. They also alleged that incidents of sexual violence had occurred inside detention buses and detention centres. The allegations have not been independently adjudicated in the report, and the organisations called for an investigation and legal action against personnel found responsible.
The memorandum demanded that officials found responsible be prosecuted and subjected to strict disciplinary action. “Those found guilty must be held accountable and punished under the law,” the organisations said in their appeal. They also called for an end to impunity for sexual assault and stressed that women and gender-diverse people must be able to participate in public and political life without fear.
The organisations further alleged that protesters had faced casteist, communal and gendered abuse, and accused the authorities of failing to prevent or act against such misconduct. They described the alleged treatment of protesters as part of a broader attempt to silence women and push them out of politics and public life.
The statement also referred to the allegation of a young woman journalist who said an Assistant Commissioner of Police-rank officer had sexually harassed her. According to the organisations, when she attempted to file a complaint, she was detained and an FIR was registered against her and others.
The march took place amid continuing protests against the Election Commission and demands for action over alleged electoral irregularities. The demonstrators also sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Hindu reported that the women’s groups submitted their memorandum at the police headquarters, seeking action against personnel accused in the allegations and institutional accountability for the police response.
The organisations’ immediate demand is for the allegations to be examined through legal and disciplinary processes, with action against officials established to be responsible.
