2 weeks ago
Supreme Court Probe Examines Police Force Against NEET Protesters
Students protested at Jantar Mantar after the NEET examination was cancelled.
They wanted the education minister to take responsibility.
The article says police used force against some protesters, including sticks and tear gas.
It also mentions allegations of sexual harassment and sticks fitted with nails.
The Supreme Court has created a committee to investigate what happened.
The court said students have a constitutional right to protest peacefully.
Police have said that criminal elements may have joined the protest.
The editorial says both unlawful protesters and police personnel who used excessive force should be investigated.
It hopes Jantar Mantar will remain a symbol of democracy and peaceful dissent.
The Supreme Court has formed a committee of jurists and former police chiefs to examine allegations of police brutality against NEET protesters.
Students protesting at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar were reportedly subjected to lathis, tear gas and alleged sexual harassment on July 20.
The protesters were demanding accountability over the cancellation of the NEET examination and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The court emphasized students’ constitutional right to protest and said allegations must be taken seriously and pursued to their logical conclusion.
The editorial urges the court to consider quashing cases against protesters while prosecuting any criminal elements involved in the demonstration.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, student protesters, Delhi Police, jurists and former police chiefs, and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
- What
- The Supreme Court formed a committee to investigate allegations of police brutality during a protest against the cancellation of the NEET examination.
- Where
- At Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, during an attempted march toward Parliament.
- When
- The alleged police action occurred on July 20; the articles do not specify when the committee was formed.
- Why
- The students were protesting the cancellation of the NEET examination and demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation; the court intervened over allegations of excessive police force.
Protesters and Editorial View
Police and Government Position
Use of force
Protesters and Editorial View
The editorial says students were subjected to indiscriminate and unjustified police violence, including lathis and tear gas.
Police and Government Position
The article does not provide a full Delhi Police response to the allegations, but records the police position that criminal elements entered the protest.
Legal cases against protesters
Protesters and Editorial View
The editorial urges the Supreme Court to use its powers to quash first information reports against student protesters and says the government had agreed to help resolve their legal difficulties.
Police and Government Position
The police position described in the article suggests that cases may relate to criminal elements who allegedly joined the demonstration; the article says such offenders should be prosecuted.
Accountability
Protesters and Editorial View
The Supreme Court and editorial call for the allegations to be taken seriously and pursued to their logical conclusion, including identifying those who used force while not in uniform.
Police and Government Position
The article indicates that authorities want action against people who committed crimes at the protest, while the committee is expected to examine responsibility for the alleged police excesses.
Key facts
- Investigation body
- A high-powered Supreme Court committee comprising jurists and former police chiefs.
- Protest date
- July 20.
- Protest location
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
- Main demand
- Accountability over the cancelled NEET examination and the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.
- Alleged police actions
- Use of lathis, tear gas, alleged lathis fitted with nails, and alleged sexual harassment of female protesters.
- Constitutional issue
- The Supreme Court highlighted students’ right to protest under Article 19.
- Further action urged
- Investigate police personnel and criminal elements, and consider quashing cases against student protesters.
Quotes
Chief Justice of India
Head of the Supreme Court, India
“It is the life of students which is at stake. We have to consider this. They have a future ahead. They have the right to protest under Article 19.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Whosoever is responsible, there can be no excuse and no justification. It must be taken seriously and taken to its logical conclusion.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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