India
oi-Ashish Rana
The Supreme Court has declined to stop Cockroach Janta Party’s protest march in Delhi on 5 September, by stating that there was currently no compelling reason that the protest will turn into violence. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant headed bench said the responsibility for deciding law-and-order arrangements is on Centre and Delhi government. He also mentioned that protesters and authorities have responsibility to follow the law.
The Supreme Court declined to stop Cockroach Janta Party’s September 5 protest march in Delhi, citing no compelling reason to presume violence and placing law-and-order responsibility on the Centre and Delhi government.
Supreme Court Says No Basis To Presume Violence
The Supreme Court bench having CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing the petitions for restrictions on large gatherings and marches in the sensitive areas like Lutyens’ Delhi.
“We have no reason to doubt that everyone will behave in a peaceful and lawful manner…As of now, there are no compelling circumstances before us to presume or assume anything otherwise,” the court said.
The petitioners also asked for postponement of the 5 September protest march till the BRICS summit, scheduled for 12 and 13 September in Delhi. The SC said such law-and-order decisions are for the concerned authorities.
Why Is CJP Planning The September 5 March?
Cockroach Janta Party has announced the protest march on 24 August stating it a peaceful gathering from India Gate to Delhi Police headquarters. The protest is for the allegations that assurance made on 25 July, that led to withdrawal of 36-day protest at Jantar Mantar have not been fulfilled yet.
CJP has asked for the demands including FIRs withdrawal against protesters and Delhi Police accountability over the violence on 20 July protest. Now the families of the students who died by suicide after the NEET exam controversy and people who faced Police brutality are expected to lead the march.
The bench of judges said that court can be approached again if any critical situations developed, any issue involving its judicial domain. For now 5 September protest march is a matter for authorities for maintaining law and order.
