Chandigarh, July 30, 2026 – The Europe Today: Reports of police action against peaceful demonstrators in India’s Punjab region during a march demanding the release of jailed Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh have prompted renewed calls from rights advocates for an independent and impartial investigation into the use of force and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
According to media reports, supporters associated with the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) staged a large demonstration in Chandigarh, calling for the release of Amritpal Singh, the elected MP from Khadoor Sahib. The protest witnessed clashes between demonstrators and police after participants reportedly breached security barricades, with authorities deploying water cannons and other crowd-control measures. Police later registered criminal cases in connection with the unrest.
Human rights advocates have expressed concern over reports alleging the use of force against peaceful protesters, arguing that such incidents warrant an independent, impartial, and transparent investigation to determine whether the response was consistent with India’s obligations under international human rights law.
They contend that repeated restrictions on Sikh political expression and public demonstrations risk undermining internationally recognized rights, including the freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression, and political participation, as protected under international human rights instruments.
Rights advocates have further urged the international community, including the United Nations and the United Nations Human Rights mechanisms, to closely monitor developments, encourage accountability where human rights violations are established, and call on the Government of India to uphold its international human rights commitments while ensuring the protection of the fundamental rights of the Sikh community.
Indian authorities have maintained that security measures were implemented to preserve public order and manage the protest, with legal proceedings initiated following allegations of violence during the demonstration.
The developments have drawn significant public attention and continue to fuel debate over the balance between maintaining public order and safeguarding the rights to peaceful protest and political participation in democratic societies.
