World · India Bureau
Thousands detained at railway stations ahead of planned protest
Civil liberties groups and left-wing parties have alleged that thousands of people were detained at train stations across India in a preventive measure before a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
LSN India ·
Citing what they described as a pattern of mass detentions, civil liberties organisations and left-leaning political parties claimed that authorities apprehended large numbers of passengers at railway stations in recent days. The detentions were allegedly carried out ahead of a scheduled protest gathering known as Jantar Mantar 2.0 in the national capital.
According to the groups, security personnel intercepted individuals boarding trains destined for Delhi, questioning travellers and preventing their onward journey without providing formal charges or arrest procedures. The allegations raise concerns about preventive detention practices and their application ahead of planned public demonstrations.
Left-wing parties contended that the actions constituted an attempt to prevent citizens from exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly. Civil liberties advocates questioned the legality and proportionality of such large-scale preventive measures, noting that detentions appeared to occur without following established judicial procedures.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions between state authorities and opposition groups regarding protest management and civil liberties protections in India. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement responding to the allegations of mass detentions at railway stations.