There Cannot Be Complete Ban on Protests at Jantar Mantar, Says Supreme Court

The bench said there is a need to strike a balance between conflicting rights such as the right to protest and right of citizens to live peacefully.

PTI

The bench said there is a need to strike a balance between conflicting rights such as the right to protest and right of citizens to live peacefully.

there cannot be complete ban on protests at jantar mantar says supreme court

File photo of a protest at Jantar Mantar. Credit: Mallory Moench

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today (July 23) said there cannot be a "complete ban" on holding protests and sit-ins at Jantar Mantar here, and asked the Centre to frame guidelines for according sanctions to such events.

A bench comprising Justices A.K. Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said there was a need for striking a balance between conflicting rights such as the right to protest and right of citizens to live peacefully.

"There cannot be a complete ban on holding protests at places like Jantar Mantar and Boat Club (near India Gate)," the bench said, while directing the Centre to frame guidelines on the matter.

The verdict came on a batch of petitions, including the one filed by Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, challenging the decision of the National Green Tribunal which had banned all kinds of protests at Jantar Mantar and Boat Club.

This article went live on July twenty-third, two thousand eighteen, at fifty-four minutes past twelve at noon.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.