Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inMaroosha MuzaffarWednesday 21 October 2026 14:36 BSTDelhi under siege as ‘cockroach’ protests rattle Modi governmentTwo dozen UN experts have called on Indian authorities to stop using excessive force against demonstrators protesting against changes to voter lists and requested an independent investigation into the situation.Protesters, including student groups and opposition parties, are demanding the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations that 130 million names were removed from voter rolls.Critics claim the voter revision targets poor, homeless and Muslim minority voters to benefit prime minister Narendra Modi's BJP, charges which both the Election Commission and government deny.More than 7,000 people, including journalists and lawyers, have been detained in Delhi amid reports of baton charges against peaceful assemblies and internet disruptions.UN experts warned that the crackdown violates international legal obligations regarding peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and the security of individuals.In fullUN experts call for independent investigation into crackdown on India protestersMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in