Protests Against CEC Gyanesh: Can't occupy a site for all times

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said a protest site cannot be occupied indefinitely as it sought responses from the Union government, Delhi Police and other authorities on a plea by a traders' body alleging losses of crores of rupees due to the shutdown of shops during the demonstrations in the national capital against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana observed that others too must have the opportunity to raise their grievances.

While hearing the petitions, which also raised concerns over mass detentions, alleged police brutality, the closure of Delhi Metro stations and internet shutdowns, the court emphasised the need to balance the right to protest with the right to livelihood.

“You can’t occupy a site all the time. Where will farmers, journalists go? Everyone has the right to protest. Designated time must be given for a designated period,” the CJI said, underlining that designated time must be allotted for protests. Chief Justice Kant further said that orders granting permission for protests must clearly define the terms and conditions under which permission is granted.

“You can’t prevent other people, that I am doing protest now, you can’t,” he said. As protests gripped the national capital, traders raised concerns over mounting business losses, alleging that repeated shutdowns and disruptions linked to the agitations had hit commercial activity.

The Delhi Police’s decision to denotify Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site on October 12, following a standoff with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), did little to resolve the concerns.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Hans India