Three female journalists have accused Delhi police of sexual harassment during protests over voter‑roll changes.
These claims surfaced on Saturday after police detained scores of young people demanding the resignation of the chief election commissioner.
Thousands of protesters in Delhi and Mumbai have gathered to voice their anger over the Special Intensive Revision of the voters’ roll, which the Election Commission says is meant to remove duplicate and ineligible entries.
The women say police officers touched them inappropriately and dragged a journalist by her hair. Protesters and activists are calling for an independent review and for better safety for women on the frontlines.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and other political figures have demanded that the police answer for “brutality” and that the Election Commission be held accountable for the controversial roll cut.
Police have said the complaint has been transferred to a crime branch for a “fair and impartial” inquiry.
These protests are part of a growing movement of activists using social media to push for political change, echoing the successes of the “Cockroach Janta Party” in forcing a minister to resign last year.
