New Delhi, November 3: The Supreme Court has observed that no protest group can occupy a designated demonstration site indefinitely, while hearing petitions by traders’ associations over the impact of protests in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the right to protest must be balanced with the rights of other citizens. It observed that designated protest venues should be made available to different groups for specific periods.
“You can't occupy a site for all times. Where farmers, journalists, etc. will go? Everyone has right to protest,” the Chief Justice said.
The court also said authorities must clearly specify the reasons for granting or refusing permission for protests.
The hearing followed pleas by traders’ associations alleging that demonstrations had affected businesses in the surrounding areas. The Kirana Committee Delhi sought a halt to protests during the festive season.
Counsel for the traders told the court that around 50 lakh people lived in areas surrounding the protest site. He also claimed that shops remained shut and customer visits to Connaught Place had dropped.
The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and other authorities. However, it said the traders’ grievances could not be adjudicated unless all organisations involved in the protests were made parties to the proceedings. The traders’ associations were asked to implead the protest organisers.
The hearing also referred to concerns raised in petitions over alleged police brutality, mass detentions, closure of Metro stations and internet shutdowns during protests.
The development comes weeks after the Centre de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and identified Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as alternative venues.
