US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismissed criticism from United Nations human rights experts over India’s handling of anti-CEC protests, describing the demonstrations as a domestic political matter and questioning the credibility of the experts.

Speaking on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Rubio criticised the UN experts who called for an independent investigation into allegations of excessive police force and restrictions on peaceful demonstrations.

“UN experts are an oxymoron,” Rubio said, expressing scepticism about their assessment of the situation.

The controversy follows demonstrations demanding the resignation of India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. Opposition groups and protesters have raised concerns about electoral roll revisions, alleging that the removal of millions of names could prevent eligible citizens from voting.

India’s Election Commission has defended the revisions, arguing that they are intended to improve the accuracy of electoral records by removing duplicate entries and identifying ineligible voters. Concerns remain over whether the process could unfairly exclude eligible citizens.

More than 20 UN human rights experts have urged Indian authorities to investigate allegations of excessive force, arbitrary detention and restrictions on public gatherings. They have also called for the protection of peaceful assembly and accountability for any human rights violations.

The experts cited reports of police using batons against demonstrators and imposing restrictions on protests. These allegations have intensified scrutiny of the authorities’ response to the demonstrations.

Rubio’s remarks underscore Washington’s reluctance to intervene in India’s domestic political disputes. By describing the issue as an internal matter, the US secretary of state signalled that the responsibility for addressing the controversy rests primarily with Indian institutions.

The dispute has renewed debate over the balance between maintaining public order and protecting democratic freedoms. While authorities have a responsibility to ensure security, human rights advocates maintain that peaceful protesters must be allowed to express their views without intimidation or unnecessary force.

An independent investigation could help establish the facts surrounding the allegations and determine whether the response to the protests complied with applicable human rights standards.

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