Left-Wing women’s organisations on Saturday staged a protest outside the Delhi Police Headquarters against the alleged detention of women journalists and protestors during recent demonstrations in the national Capital, accusing the Delhi Police of targeting women and demanding an immediate end to their alleged “harassment”.

A large number of women activists and representatives of various organisations gathered outside the Delhi Police headquarters, raising slogans against the police action and questioning the detention of women participating in the ongoing protests.

The demonstrators also reiterated their demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the controversy surrounding the revision of electoral rolls and people allegedly being left out of the list.

Holding banners and raising slogans against the alleged police excesses, the protesters demanded accountability from the Delhi Police and called for women journalists and activists to be allowed to exercise their democratic rights without facing what they described as intimidation or harassment.

The demonstration was attended by members and representatives of several organisations, including the Student Federation of India (SFI), All India Mahila Samskritik Sanghatan (AIMSS) and Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), among others.

According to the protesters, several women journalists and female demonstrators have been detained by the Delhi Police during the ongoing protests in the national Capital.

They alleged that such action had raised serious concerns about the treatment of women participating in public demonstrations and questioned the manner in which the police were handling the protests.

“We have never seen such incidents in this country where women protestors are facing sexual harassment at the hands of police. During recent protests, we have seen incidents of police touching the women protestors’ body parts inappropriately; this is something that never happened before,” an activist told media.

“The brutality shown by the Delhi Police should stop. No one can stop us from protesting against the ECI; this is our democratic right. We cannot tolerate the shamelessness shown by the police towards the women protesters,” another said.

Another activist, speaking to media, said, “The women of this country will not tolerate this kind of harassment for simply demanding their rights. This is not fair, and we will continue to raise our voice against the harassment by the Delhi Police.”

The activists also expressed anger over the detention of All India Students’ Association (AISA) President Neha Bora, claiming that she was kept at a police station for several hours late on Saturday.

During the demonstration, the protesters called on the Delhi Police to ensure that women participating in protests were treated in accordance with the law and that their rights were respected.

Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, on Saturday congratulated the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for its victory in the Odisha student union elections, saying the results conveyed a clear message that the country’s youth stood firmly with the ‘Nation First’ ideology.

In a post on X, HM Shah said the ABVP’s victories in 13 universities in Odisha, following its success at Panjab University and Delhi University, reflected the youth’s support for nationalism.

“Heartfelt congratulations to all the karyakartas of @abvpodisha for achieving a resounding victory in the Odisha Student Parliament elections. First Panjab University, then Delhi University, and now in 13 universities of Odisha, this victory of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad clearly conveys the message that the youth power of the country is firmly aligned not with the powerful forces that spread falsehoods, illusions, and chaos, but with the ‘Nation First’ ideology,” Shah posted.

Earlier on Friday, BJP President Nitin Nabin also congratulated the ABVP candidates who emerged victorious in the student union elections held across colleges and universities in Odisha, saying the victory reflected the youth’s faith in nationalism and national interest.

“Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the victorious candidates and dedicated workers on the resounding victory of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in the student union elections held in Odisha,” Nabin said.

The BJP President said the ABVP’s performance in the campus polls indicated the rejection of what he described as the politics of anarchy.

“This victory reflects the unwavering faith of the youth in nationalism and national interests, rejecting the politics of spreading anarchy in the name of young people. Inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, the youth of India today are moving forward with a resolve to build the nation and are committed to playing an important role in realising the goal of Viksit Bharat @ 2047,” Nabin added.

The campus polls were held in Odisha on October 15 after a gap of eight years.

Student union elections were conducted in 337 higher education institutions across the state, recording an overall voter turnout of 56 per cent.

According to the data provided, a total of 3,610 candidates emerged victorious in the elections, including 3,453 from colleges and 157 from universities.

One person was killed, and two others were injured after a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus hit vehicles and pedestrians in Delhi Anand Parbat area on Saturday, officials said.

According to the officials, an e-rickshaw, two bikes, and a scooter rider were hit by the bus, which was heading towards Tikri Border.

One person died on the spot, while two others were seriously injured and were shifted to the hospital.

The officials added that the bus driver fled the scene following the accident.

According to the eyewitnesses, the bus was speeding when it hit the pedestrians.

“The bus was being driven by a female driver. The bus was at a very high speed. Pedestrians tried to save themselves; however, some were hit by the bus. Around 4-5 people were injured,” an eyewitness told media.

“There is always a traffic jam in this area. There is no place to walk on this road. Rikshaws and shops have encroached upon the road. Everyone fears to walk on this road. Today, a person has died because of all this,” another said.

“Several accidents keep happening here. The situation is miserable. The police also don’t arrive on time,” a local told media.

Police and forensic teams have reached the spot and are investigating the incident. Further details are awaited.

In a separate incident, one person was killed, and three others were injured after a truck hit two motorcycles near Crescent Apartment Red Light in Dwarka Sector 18 in the early hours of Saturday.

According to Delhi Police, the fatal accident occurred at around 12.45 a.m. The two motorcycles were carrying four people, with two persons on each vehicle, when the truck struck them.

Police apprehended the truck driver, Hotam Singh, 41, a resident of Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The truck, both motorcycles, and other exhibits were seized.

A case has been registered at Dwarka North police station under relevant sections, and further investigation is underway.