New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on police for resorting to lathi-charge on peaceful protesters.
“Right to peaceful protest is absolutely guaranteed. That cannot be denied. Merely because there is agitation cannot justify police excess. Just because there is an agitation does not mean there should be lathi charge. Self-evolved discipline is needed which is essential to democratic process,” Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant remarked.
The CJI called for a uniform protocol on agitations, not just restricted to Delhi.
“There should be a protocol in place. This is not a question of Delhi only. Uniformity of protocol is needed. There should be proper space and no restriction. But if there is some anti-social elements etc. that can be taken care of,” CJI Kant said.
A bench comprising of the CJI, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing petitions seeking pan-India guidelines to ensure peaceful protests following the use of force by police on protestors at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and also in Bihar, reported Bar and Bench.
“Life of every individual irrespective of who they are is important,” the top court said.
A plea moved by RJD leader Manoj Jha, pointing out the use of force including AK-47 against protesters in Bihar, was mentioned.
Directing Jha’s plea to be tagged with other petitions seeking a probe into the July20 incidents during Cockroach Janta Party’s march to Parliament amid the NEET paper leak protest, the bench all petitions pertaining to the issue from across the country will be heard on July 28.