On Monday, members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) gathered in New Delhi to show bruised arms and other injuries they claim were inflicted during protests against the Chief Election Commissioner. The group alleged that police used violence to suppress dissent, including beatings inside detention buses.
SFI president Adarsh M Saji and leaders Aishe Ghosh, Nadia, and Sharanya presented their injuries at a press conference. Ghosh said her wounds were minor compared to others, noting that some students suffered fractures and were beaten inside detention vans. Nadia recounted being surrounded by policewomen inside a detention vehicle, claiming she was hit, had her hair pulled, and a finger twisted. An unnamed SFI member said women were sexually harassed while confined in cramped compartments of the bus, with a police officer lifting her kurta. A protester from Kerala, identified as Fidel, alleged he was slapped on the ear, suffered hearing impairment, and was taken to RML Hospital.
CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, who was also detained, described the police action as unprecedented and accused officers of acting with impunity. She said sexual harassment by uniformed personnel had become a tool to intimidate dissenters. M A Baby, the party’s general secretary, pledged that left parties would continue to mobilise against the restrictions, warning that democratic aspirations cannot be contained by brutal force.
The protests targeted the SIR exercise and the restrictions on demonstrations in Delhi. Protesters demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, and student groups and opposition leaders accused police of excessive force as demonstrators tried to assemble at various locations in the capital.
