Archive · 24 Jul 2026
Govt Defends Video-Recording of Jantar Mantar Protests
There is a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi where people are demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister because they believe there were problems with some exams.
The government is recording the protest with cameras, which the protesters say is an invasion of their privacy.
The government says they are doing this for security reasons.
A court will decide on July 27 whether the government's actions are fair or not.
The Delhi High Court will hear a PIL challenging the government's video-recording of the Jantar Mantar protest.
The government defends the video-recording as a legitimate state interest for security and law and order purposes.
Protesters argue that the right to privacy is not surrendered in public spaces and that the surveillance is intrusive.
The Cockroach Janta Party has been protesting since June 20, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities.
The court will consider the issues of state surveillance versus citizens' right to privacy in public protests.
- Who
- Protesters led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the government represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
- What
- A public interest litigation challenging the continuous, indiscriminate, and intrusive surveillance at the Jantar Mantar protest
- When
- The protest started on June 20, and the court will hear the case on July 27
- Where
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Why
- The protesters are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, while the government defends the video-recording as a legitimate state interest for security and law and order purposes
Protesters' Privacy Rights
Government's Security Interests
Surveillance in Public Spaces
Protesters' Privacy Rights
Protesters argue that the right to privacy is not surrendered in public spaces and that continuous, indiscriminate surveillance is intrusive and violates their privacy rights.
Government's Security Interests
The government defends the video-recording as a legitimate state interest for security and law and order purposes, stating that protests are always videographed.
Use of Facial Recognition Technology
Protesters' Privacy Rights
Protesters raise concerns over the use of facial recognition technology by the police to identify protesters, alleging that this is an intrusive surveillance tactic.
Government's Security Interests
The government does not explicitly deny the use of facial recognition technology but emphasizes the need for security measures.
Protocol for Storing Recorded Content
Protesters' Privacy Rights
Protesters demand a protocol to regulate the video-recording of protesters, including how long such content will be stored by the authorities.
Government's Security Interests
The government has not provided a specific protocol but asserts that the video-recording is necessary for law and order purposes.
- Protest Location
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Protest Start Date
- June 20
- Protest Demand
- Resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
- Court Hearing Date
- July 27
- Petitioner
- Aishe Ghosh
- Government Representative
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
- Protest Organizer
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)
- Issue
- State surveillance versus citizens' right to privacy in public protests