ഒക്ടോബർ 10-ലെ പ്രതിഷേധത്തിന്റെ പേരിൽ ഡൽഹി മെട്രോയും ട്രെയിൻ സർവീസുകളും പൂർണ്ണമായി നിർത്തിവെച്ച നടപടിക്കെതിരെ സുപ്രീം കോടതി രംഗത്ത്. നിയന്ത്രണം നിരോധനമാകരുതെന്ന് കോടതി വ്യക്തമാക്കി. ജനാധിപത്യത്തിൽ പൗരാവകാശങ്ങളും സുരക്ഷയും ഒരുപോലെ പ്രധാനമാണെന്നും, വിയോജിപ്പുകളെ അടിച്ചമർത്തുന്നത് സർക്കാരിന്റെ ദൗർബല്യമാണെന്നും ശശി തരൂർ എംപി പ്രതികരിച്ചു.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court's intervention over restrictions on Delhi Metro and train services ahead of the October 10 protest, saying it was a reminder to the Modi government that regulation cannot turn into prohibition. He said a democratic system must protect both public safety and citizens' fundamental rights.
His remarks came after the top court directed the Centre and the authorities to ensure there was no complete stoppage of Metro and train movement to the national capital because of a CJP protest on October 10. The court said everything could not be brought to a halt and services should run in a regulated manner to reduce inconvenience to commuters.
In a post on X, Tharoor said, "The Supreme Court's intervention over restrictions on Delhi's trains and Metro ahead of the October 10 protest is a timely reminder to the Modi government: regulation cannot become prohibition. As the Chief Justice observed, 'Law and order is your responsibility. It's not state property only'." He added, "We in the Congress believe that democracy demands both public safety and the protection of citizens' fundamental rights. Peaceful protest is the voice of the people, not a threat to be silenced." He also said, "A confident government respects dissent; it does not inconvenience millions to suppress it."
A bench headed by Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, asked the Centre to allow Metro and railway services in a regulated manner so that commuters were not harassed. The bench underlined that there was a difference between a complete prohibition and allowing services in a regulated manner.
The court took note of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's submission that he would urge the authorities to reconsider the prohibition and allow Metro trains and other railway services to run in a suitably regulated manner so that the public did not face inconvenience, while keeping in mind the principle of proportionality. The bench then said, "In terms of that assurance, we make it clear that there shall be no complete prohibition on the movement of metro trains." It also directed that the authorities give wide publicity to their decision on the movement of Metro trains and other railway services, and said similar advertisements should be issued on traffic movement in Delhi.
The bench further said road barricading should be reviewed and alternate routes should be properly publicised. Overall, the court said restrictions ahead of the October 10 protest should be regulated in a way that maintains order while minimising inconvenience to the public, a position Tharoor said supported the right to peaceful dissent.