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India has pushed back against a report by UN Special Rapporteur Gina Romero on the treatment of young people, questioning the evidence behind its claims. Indian diplomat Anuj Swarup rejected allegations that young people in the country face stigma or retaliation for discussing mental health and gender justice.
Speaking at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee, Swarup said India’s Constitution guarantees every citizen freedom of assembly, association, speech, and expression.
The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York shared his statement on X. “Anuj Swarup, First Secretary, delivered India’s statement at the 81st Session of the UNGA Third Committee in the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association,” it wrote.
Swarup said these freedoms are protected by an independent judiciary, a free press and the National Human Rights Commission. Referring to Romero’s report, Swarup questioned its claims about young people in India and criticised the use of unnamed submissions to support broad allegations.
“This level of arbitrary report writing is precisely the reason that the United Nations and its institutions have lost credibility. A sweeping charge against the world's largest youth population resting on anonymous and unverified claims is not evidence. It is hearsay, dressed up as a UN report, and my delegation rejects it outright,” he said.
He also challenged the report’s assessment of civic space for young people, pointing to their participation in political movements and engagement with senior government leaders. He referred to a satirical youth political movement and said the government had continued to engage with young people.
“The High Commissioner for Human Rights stated in the Human Rights Council last month that dialogue with young leaders is far more effective in the context of youth-led movement in India. Perhaps that update escaped the special rapporteur's attention,” he added.
Swarup said the government had worked with students to address concerns over irregularities in public examinations and had taken measures to tackle exam-related fraud. He said Parliament amended the Public Examinations Act to increase punishments for paper leaks, alongside changes to the examination system and the creation of fast-track courts to deal with exam fraud.
Swarup also highlighted the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, saying more than five million young people participated in the initiative and contributed to discussions on national priorities with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Several ministers, including the honourable Prime Minister, continue to engage with the youth of our country directly and through social media,” he added.
In his closing remarks, Swarup urged the Special Rapporteur to ensure fairness and rigour in her reporting. “Chair, a mandate holder who relies on anonymous inputs to generalise for 1.4 billion people does a disservice to the very mandate she holds. We urge this special rapporteur to verify before she vilifies and to bring the required rigour and fairness in her reports,” Swarup said.
Speaking at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee, Swarup said India’s Constitution guarantees every citizen freedom of assembly, association, speech, and expression.
The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York shared his statement on X. “Anuj Swarup, First Secretary, delivered India’s statement at the 81st Session of the UNGA Third Committee in the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association,” it wrote.
#IndiaAtUN
Anuj Swarup, First Secretary, delivered ????????’s statement at the 81st Session of the UNGA Third Committee in the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, highlighting the following:
➡️ ????????’s constitution guarantees freedom of assembly, association, speech and expression to every citizen which are protected by an independent judiciary, a free press and an empowered National Human Rights Commission.
➡️ Youth engagement by the Government and swift actions taken against individuals engaged in exam fraud and systemic overhaul of competitive examinations.
➡️ Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue in which over five million young people shaped national priorities directly with the Prime Minister and continued direct engagement with youth.
@PMOIndia @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @PIB_India @airnewsalerts @DDNewslive @EduMinOfIndia @YASMinistry
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) October 16, 2026
Swarup said these freedoms are protected by an independent judiciary, a free press and the National Human Rights Commission. Referring to Romero’s report, Swarup questioned its claims about young people in India and criticised the use of unnamed submissions to support broad allegations.
“This level of arbitrary report writing is precisely the reason that the United Nations and its institutions have lost credibility. A sweeping charge against the world's largest youth population resting on anonymous and unverified claims is not evidence. It is hearsay, dressed up as a UN report, and my delegation rejects it outright,” he said.
He also challenged the report’s assessment of civic space for young people, pointing to their participation in political movements and engagement with senior government leaders. He referred to a satirical youth political movement and said the government had continued to engage with young people.
“The High Commissioner for Human Rights stated in the Human Rights Council last month that dialogue with young leaders is far more effective in the context of youth-led movement in India. Perhaps that update escaped the special rapporteur's attention,” he added.
Swarup said the government had worked with students to address concerns over irregularities in public examinations and had taken measures to tackle exam-related fraud. He said Parliament amended the Public Examinations Act to increase punishments for paper leaks, alongside changes to the examination system and the creation of fast-track courts to deal with exam fraud.
Swarup also highlighted the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, saying more than five million young people participated in the initiative and contributed to discussions on national priorities with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Several ministers, including the honourable Prime Minister, continue to engage with the youth of our country directly and through social media,” he added.
In his closing remarks, Swarup urged the Special Rapporteur to ensure fairness and rigour in her reporting. “Chair, a mandate holder who relies on anonymous inputs to generalise for 1.4 billion people does a disservice to the very mandate she holds. We urge this special rapporteur to verify before she vilifies and to bring the required rigour and fairness in her reports,” Swarup said.
