SIR protests: Women’s groups march to Delhi Police Headquarters over sexual violence allegations

New Delhi: Several women's organisations on Saturday held a joint protest march towards the Delhi Police headquarters, alleging sexual violence and police brutality against women who participated in recent demonstrations against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The protest was organised by groups including the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), the All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA) and ALIFA. The demonstrations followed protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and demands for the cancellation of SIR.

Annie Raja alleges sexual assault used to silence women protesters

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Annie Raja linked the protest to the broader opposition to SIR, describing the revision of electoral rolls as an assault on women's rights.

“We are into that protest because the vote chori is something in many ways; it is the biggest assault on women,” she said, reiterating the demand for the cancellation of SIR and the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

Raja alleged that women participating in the protests were being targeted to silence them and prevent them from occupying public spaces.

“To silence us, to disappear the women of this country who are participating in the protest and occupying the public space, the fascist Amit Shah government or Modi government are using sexual assault as a weapon irrespective of age,” she alleged.
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Protesters demand action against police personnel, Amit Shah's resignation

The protesting organisations demanded action against police personnel allegedly responsible for sexual violence and mistreatment of women during the SIR demonstrations.

Raja also demanded Amit Shah's resignation, alleging that such incidents could not have occurred without the Union Home Minister's knowledge or orders.

Vowing to continue the demonstrations, Raja warned that attempts to suppress the movement would not deter the protesters.

Raja also referred to the presence of Ankita Bhandari's parents at the protest.

Delhi police register FIRs over prohibitory order violations

Meanwhile, Delhi Police have registered multiple first information reports (FIRs) over alleged violations of prohibitory orders in Connaught Place and other parts of New Delhi during protests on Friday, officials said on Saturday.

According to police officials, repeated announcements were made asking people not to assemble, but a crowd gathered around Connaught Place. Officials said cases would be registered for violations of orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), with action also planned against repeat offenders.

The action followed a Tiranga rally held outside Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday amid heightened security. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers and supporters also gathered for a rally directed against the Election Commission over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
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CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke to be produced before magistrate

In a related development, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activist Abhijeet Dipke, who was detained ahead of the planned 'Lehra Do Tiranga' rally in New Delhi on Friday, was scheduled to be produced before the Special Executive Magistrate at Mandir Marg Police Station around noon on Saturday, according to his legal counsel.

Advocate Ratna Singh announced the development in a post on X, saying, “He will be produced before SEM Mandir Marg PS around 12 PM.”

Delhi Police had placed Dipke under preventive detention at his residence on Friday, invoking prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS. CJP representatives alleged that he was taken to an undisclosed location without immediate access to his lawyers.

The detention came amid heightened security and restrictions on public gatherings in parts of the national capital following protests over the electoral revision process and demands for action against the Election Commission.