Six U.S. lawmakers ask Rubio to raise India's handling of protests ahead of his visit

Six Democratic members of the U.S. Congress have written to Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking him to raise concerns about India's handling of protests when he visits the country, according to reports on October 17, 2026. The signatories named by The Free Press Journal and Mathrubhumi are Pramila Jayapal, Ilhan Omar, Jim McGovern, Rashida Tlaib, Eleanor Holmes Norton and Jesus Garcia. Scroll says the letter was sent on Friday, October 16.

What the letter alleges

The letter cites "a pattern of repression, wrongful detention, and excessive use of force" by security forces during student protests in Delhi and elsewhere, according to the Free Press Journal and Mathrubhumi. Scroll reports that protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls have taken place since October 2, and that about 7,000 protesters were reportedly detained in Delhi on October 10. The Free Press Journal says the protests include those of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).

The lawmakers also allege that Indian diplomatic missions in the U.S. monitored demonstrations. Scroll says people at protests in Washington, Chicago and San Francisco reported being photographed by individuals who said they were hired by the Indian embassy and consulates.

What they ask

According to the Free Press Journal and Mathrubhumi, the letter asks Rubio to press Indian officials for thorough, transparent and independent investigations into alleged abuses, and to encourage the release of people detained for peacefully exercising rights of expression and assembly. It asks him to look into the alleged surveillance and intimidation, and to assess whether India's conduct toward individuals in the U.S. affects its eligibility for arms sales under the Arms Export Control Act.

Scroll reports that Rubio visits Mumbai and Jamnagar from October 19 to 22, and that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is due to meet him in Mumbai on October 20.

Responses

The reports read do not carry an Indian government response to the protest and surveillance allegations, and do not say whether Rubio's office has responded. India's reaction in the reports concerns Jayapal's earlier remarks on the electoral roll revision: Scroll says spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called them unwarranted and uninformed, and Mathrubhumi says Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra called them unacceptable interference in India's internal affairs. Mathrubhumi and the Free Press Journal also note that Ajay Jain Bhutoria, a Democratic leader and former adviser to President Biden who holds no government post, criticized the letter on X.

A differing account

The Sentinel names only Jayapal and McGovern as signers, dates the letter October 16, and describes the protests as student demonstrations after the leak and cancellation of a national medical college entrance exam as well as demonstrations over the SIR. It cites UN human rights experts' concerns about the transparency of the revision.