The Supreme Court on Tuesday said no one can occupy a public space indefinitely for protests. Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant said, "You cannot occupy the site all times." The court noted that designated protest sites must have fixed time limits so that daily public business does not suffer.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that no one can occupy a public space indefinitely to stage a protest, adding that even designated protest sites must have a fixed time limit for such activities.
The observations came during a hearing on a large-scale protest held at Delhi's Jantar Mantar last month by Opposition parties and other groups against the Election Commission (EC).
"You cannot occupy the site all times. Where will the farmers, journalists, etc. will go? Everyone has the right to protest. Designated time must be given for a designated period," said Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant. "Right to protest and right to trade both are important…The only way out is identify a place of public protest that do not hamper the day to day business of these people."