Shaheen Bagh Verdict -Indefinite Protest – Supreme Court

Table of Contents

What was Shaheen Bagh Protest?

The protest led by women of Shaheen Bagh became the epicentre of anti protests across the nation against the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act
It started on December 14, 2019 and ended on March 24, 2020 after a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19 was imposed.
Shaheen Bagh is a locality in South East Delhi
The protesters blocked a stretch of the road for several months.

Petitions were filed to remove the blockade by protestors and open up the road.
As the protest was withdrawn after lockdown was imposed, the case pertaining to Shaheen Bagh has become unnecessary but the apex court delivered a verdict on protests of similar magnitude. (Farmer Protests ongoing)
- Questions in front of SC bench
Can a public road be blocked for a long time?
When and where can protests be held?

Public spaces and places can’t be occupied indefinitely whether in Shaheen Bagh or elsewhere.
The administration must keep such spaces free from obstructions. Not wait to fire from court’s shoulder.
Protest should be at designated places. Authorities should remove protests which are not being staged at designated places
Dissent and democracy go hand in hand but protests must be carried out in designated area.
No person or group of persons can block public places or carriage ways to demonstrate or express dissent.
The SC said right to peaceful protest is a constitutional right and it has to be respected.
But that does not mean agitating people should adopt means and modes of protest that was used against colonial rulers during struggle for independence.
Right to Protest was a fundamental right, albeit with reasonable restrictions.