New Delhi, 25 August

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Tuesday expressed “grave concern” over reports of large-scale violations by Indian law enforcement officials against ethnic and ethno-religious groups, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, including Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, as well as non-citizens.

The Committee said the reported violations included racially motivated violence, excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary and prolonged detention without due process, torture, ill-treatment and sexual violence.

It called on India to conduct prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all such allegations and ensure accountability for those responsible.

The Committee also flagged increased law enforcement operations targeting Rohingya, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants and asylum-seekers, particularly following a 2017 Home Affairs order and the April 2025 Pahalgam attack in Kashmir.

It said police stops and identity checks involving racial profiling had reportedly led to arbitrary arrests and detention without due process, as well as torture and ill-treatment.

The Committee also raised concerns over deportations and forcible returns of people in need of international protection, in violation of the principle of non-refoulement.

It urged India to urgently address discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes, protect the rights of affected groups, refrain from collective expulsions and ensure access to international protection.