SC Upholds Protest Rights: Police Excesses Unjustified Amidst NEET Row!
SC Upholds Protest Rights: Police Excesses Unjustified Amidst NEET Row!
Supreme Court declares the right to peaceful protest guaranteed, condemning police excesses during NEET student agitations. A crucial hearing on police conduct is set for July 28. #RightToProtest #NEETProtest
In a significant development, the Supreme Court has unequivocally affirmed the fundamental right to peaceful protest, stating that police excesses cannot be justified merely because an agitation is underway. This strong assertion came as the court agreed to hear a series of petitions alleging excessive force by the Delhi Police against students protesting at Jantar Mantar over the recent NEET paper leaks.
Chief Justice Surya Kant, leading a bench that also included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, emphasized, “The Right to peaceful protest is absolutely guaranteed. That cannot be denied. Merely because there is agitation cannot justify police excesses.” The bench also highlighted the need for a standardized protocol for managing protests across the country, suggesting proper designated spaces and minimal restrictions, while also allowing for measures against anti-social elements. They stressed that the life of every individual is important, acknowledging a lawyer's point about police personnel also being affected, but maintaining that excessive force is unacceptable.
The issue gained further traction with political parties weighing in. The Congress party, on July 21, denounced the police action as a “shameful chapter” and vowed that those responsible for such actions against the nation's youth would face accountability. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) also accused the Delhi Police of employing excessive force to prevent protesters from reaching Parliament, claiming several students were injured and activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, was manhandled. The Delhi Police, however, swiftly denied these allegations regarding Angmo, calling them “completely false and misleading.”
The Supreme Court’s decision to fix the next hearing on July 28 underscores the seriousness with which it views the allegations of police misconduct during these student demonstrations. This ruling reinforces the democratic principle that citizens have the right to voice their grievances, provided they do so peacefully, and that authorities must respect these rights without resorting to undue force. The call for a uniform protocol for managing protests suggests a move towards ensuring safer and more organized demonstrations nationwide.
