If there is a movement, then you cannot lathi charge!’ CJI Surya Kant gave blunt advice to the administration on Jantar Mantar protest, “You cannot resort to a lathi-charge just because a protest is taking place!”

A very big and historic comment has come out from the Supreme Court of the country in the matter of a major protest going on at Jantar Mantar, the biggest protest site in the country’s capital Delhi. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (CJI) Surya Kant has drawn a new and very clear Lakshman Rekha regarding the rights of citizens who raise their voice peacefully in a democracy. The court has issued a strict warning to the Delhi Police and the local administration, saying that just because there is an agitation or protest going on somewhere, the security forces cannot directly lathi charge or use force on the citizens.

Peaceful demonstration in democracy is fundamental right, questions raised on police action

Hearing was going on in the Supreme Court on a petition filed regarding police action during a recent demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Meanwhile, CJI Surya Kant’s bench took a tough stand and made it clear that under the Constitution of India, every citizen has the fundamental right to assemble and protest peacefully and without weapons. The court said that as long as the protesters do not indulge in any kind of violence, damage public property or pose a serious threat to national security, the police force needs to exercise utmost restraint.