New Delhi | August 27, 2026
The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) has raised concerns over alleged discrimination, hate speech and the treatment of certain communities in India, while also calling for a review of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The committee issued its observations on August 25 after reviewing India's recent record under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
UN Committee Flags Hate Speech and Alleged Rights Violations
In its findings, UNCERD expressed concern over reports involving law enforcement actions against ethnic and ethno-religious groups, Indigenous and Tribal communities, Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, and non-citizens.
The committee referred to allegations including unlawful killings, prolonged detention without due process, torture, ill-treatment and sexual violence. These allegations were disputed by India, with the Ministry of External Affairs saying that the Indian delegation, led by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, had already rejected what it described as sweeping generalisations.
The committee also called on India to publicly condemn racist hate speech directed at migrants and asylum-seekers and urged action against hate speech by politicians and influential public figures.
Concerns Over Special Intensive Revision
Another major issue highlighted by the committee was the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
UNCERD recommended that India review the SIR process to ensure that ethno-religious minorities can participate in the electoral process and that reported irregularities are independently investigated. It also called for measures to prevent the process from being used to promote racist rhetoric or incite hatred.
According to the committee's observations, around 52 million names were reportedly removed from electoral rolls after the SIR process was introduced across 12 States and Union Territories. West Bengal was identified as particularly affected, with approximately 9.1 million names reportedly removed ahead of the State elections held in April 2026.
India Rejects Broad Generalisations
The observations have added another layer to the ongoing public and political debate surrounding electoral roll revisions, minority rights and the implementation of the SIR process.
While UNCERD has raised concerns based on its review, the Indian government has rejected broad characterisations of the situation. The differing positions highlight the importance of transparent processes, proper documentation and independent examination when dealing with issues involving public institutions and governance.
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The committee's recommendations are expected to remain part of the wider discussion around human rights, electoral participation and governance in India.