2 hrs ago
Supreme Court Asks Centre to Consider Alternative Protest Venue
India’s Supreme Court discussed where people should be able to hold peaceful protests in Delhi.
The case involved a planned demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Police had not allowed the Cockroach Janta Party and Indian Youth Congress to protest at Jantar Mantar.
One lawyer said the authorities could instead let them gather at Ramlila Maidan.
The Chief Justice said Jantar Mantar has problems, including a lack of toilets and nearby homes.
The government’s lawyer also said it could be hard for an ambulance to reach someone who became ill there.
The court asked the government to consider finding another suitable place.
It did not itself choose a new venue.
The Supreme Court asked the Centre to consider a venue other than Jantar Mantar for peaceful protests in Delhi.
The bench said a suitable location should provide demonstrators with basic amenities and asked the competent authority to decide.
The hearing concerned a plea challenging proposed restrictions on metro stations and cancellation of trains amid a planned protest.
Police had denied the Cockroach Janta Party and Indian Youth Congress permission to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar; Ramlila Maidan was raised as an alternative.
The Chief Justice cited nearby government and MPs’ residences and poor facilities, while the Solicitor General highlighted difficulties for emergency medical access.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India, the Centre, and groups including the Cockroach Janta Party and Indian Youth Congress.
- What
- The court asked the government to consider designating an alternative Delhi venue for peaceful protests.
- Where
- The hearing concerned Jantar Mantar and possible alternatives in New Delhi, including Ramlila Maidan.
- When
- October 9; the report does not specify a year.
- Why
- The court heard concerns about basic amenities, nearby residences, and access for emergency medical assistance at Jantar Mantar.
Arguments for protest access
Concerns about the current site
Where demonstrations could be held
Arguments for protest access
Advocate Prashant Bhushan said that if permission was denied at Jantar Mantar, authorities could allow the demonstrators to assemble at Ramlila Maidan.
Concerns about the current site
The Chief Justice pointed to practical difficulties at Jantar Mantar, including nearby government and MPs’ residences; the Solicitor General also raised concerns about emergency medical access. The Centre agreed to consider an alternative venue.
Facilities for demonstrators
Arguments for protest access
The court’s discussion recognized the need for a suitable place where peaceful and lawful demonstrators could have basic amenities.
Concerns about the current site
The Chief Justice said demonstrators at Jantar Mantar were denied toilets, and the Solicitor General said an ambulance might have difficulty reaching the site.
Key facts
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Proposed venue
- A location other than Jantar Mantar
- Existing protest site
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Alternative raised
- Ramlila Maidan
- Groups seeking to demonstrate
- Cockroach Janta Party and Indian Youth Congress
- Protest subject
- Opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Government representative
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
Quotes
Chief Justice Surya Kant
Chief Justice of India and member of the Supreme Court bench.
“During the course of hearing, it was also suggested, and learned senior counsel/counsel for parties are ad idem that it’s high time that some suitable place where all basic amenities can be provided for peaceful and lawful protestors needs to be identified and designated. Let the competent authority consider the suggestion and take an appropriate decision.”
theprint.in
“There are government residences there. Some MPs stay in the front lane there. Lots of problems even to protesters. They are denied toilets there.”
theprint.in
Sources
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