The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) on October 10 expressed concern over reports of mass detentions during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi. Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan urged Indian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release those detained arbitrarily and respect peaceful protest rights. He said restrictions must meet the tests of necessity and proportionality. The UN also called for restraint by law enforcement and meaningful dialogue. More than 3000 detained by Delhi Police including youth leaders, opposition leaders, student activists, lawyers and journalists who were demonstrating at Jantar Mantar. India’s Permanent Mission in Geneva rejected the concerns as “misplaced” and “unwarranted interference” in its internal affairs, saying constitutional protections, reasonable restrictions and courts safeguard citizens’ right to assembly. (PC: X)

The Supreme Court will hold a special hearing on Sunday, October 11, on petitions challenging police action during Delhi’s protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. A petition challenges the detention of Opposition leaders and protesters, while a separate contempt plea alleges that authorities violated the court’s October 9 order by closing Metro stations and cancelling trains. The hearing will be conducted by a bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana. The protests were called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. The court will examine the pleas and allegations.  (PC: HT)

Delhi Police released thousands of people detained during Saturday’s protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, but Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, co-convenors Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee remained in custody. Police detained more than 3,000 people as protesters tried to reach Jantar Mantar. Several Opposition leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee, were also detained but later released. The crackdown disrupted transport, with 45 Metro stations closed until 10 pm. CJP has vowed to resume its protest on Sunday, while the INDIA bloc plans a major demonstration on Monday. (PC: NDTV)

Kolkata celebrated Bengali culture on October 10 as 3,000 dhakis performed together at Eden Gardens during a grand Mahalaya event ahead of Durga Puja. The traditional drumming performance was reportedly recognised by Guinness World Records. The celebrations also featured a musical concert with artists including Shaan, Kaushiki Chakraborty and Shantanu Moitra. Drone displays, laser lights and fireworks added to the spectacle, drawing attention to the scale of the event. The programme brought together Bengal’s traditional music and modern entertainment, creating a large-scale celebration of Mahalaya and the cultural heritage associated with the arrival of Goddess Durga.

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has defended H-1B visas and employment-based green cards, saying Indian Americans make up 1.5% of the US population but contribute 6% to its GDP. The forum criticised the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown following the suspension of 8 major technology companies from the PERM programme, a key step in employer-sponsored green card applications. The affected firms include Microsoft, Adobe, Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services. Citing 2022 US Census Bureau data, USISPF highlighted immigrants’ economic contributions while supporting efforts to prevent fraud and misuse of legal immigration programmes. (PC: X)

Actor Zayn Marie Khan, niece of Bollywood star Aamir Khan, joked about her detention during a protest in Mumbai. She shared a video from inside a police van after being detained alongside her cousin, actor Imran Khan. Her caption, “Ranjhore Ka Rathod??? sooo close”, referred to Imran’s character Jay Singh Rathore in his debut film, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.   Zayn, daughter of filmmaker Mansoor Khan, was detained during a protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The party demonstrated against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

At least 5 people were killed and 30 houses and shops were burnt in fresh violence in Manipur’s Kamjong and Ukhrul districts on Saturday. The clashes come amid rising tensions between Naga and Kuki-Zo communities. In Chassad village, 10 houses and 20 shops were set on fire. Among the victims were 2 Naga villagers killed in Ningchou near the Myanmar border. A woman and 2 other men were also killed in separate incidents. Authorities imposed restrictions on gatherings near Chassad, while a tribal organisation called a 24-hour shutdown in Kangpokpi district.  (PC: NDTV)

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka remained out of contact for over 10 hours after Delhi Police detained them on Saturday. The 3 leaders were detained after their flight landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The CJP said it did not know where they were being held and had been unable to contact them. Their detention came amid a police crackdown on planned protests at Jantar Mantar. The party has announced another protest for Sunday, October 11, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. (PC: India Today)

Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay has criticised US sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling them “unheard of” and “unacceptable”. The former South African judge made the remarks during a video address at an event in Oslo on Saturday. Pillay received the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her efforts to promote peace and international law. US President Donald Trump criticised the award, while Washington announced sanctions targeting the court. The measures aim to restrict the ICC’s financial operations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the decision was a serious blow to international criminal justice. Several countries, including the UK, France and Germany, also opposed the sanctions. (PC: BBC)

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Ajinkya Shinde on Saturday announced daily protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal following a police crackdown in Delhi. “Every day, there will be marches to Jantar Mantar from now on, until Gyanesh Kumar is sacked as CEC,” Shinde said.   The announcement came after Delhi Police detained over 4,000 protesters during demonstrations near Jantar Mantar, according to Hindustan Times. CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were also detained after arriving in the capital. Opposition leaders, including Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal, were detained while attempting to join protests over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.