Can't say repeatedly people have right to protest but without blocking roads: SC on Shaheen Bagh

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that it cannot say repeatedly that protesters at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi has the right to protest but they cannot block roads.

The top court said it had tried to find an out-of-the-box solution by appointing interlocutors to persuade the protesters looking at the prevailing conditions.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and K M Joseph said that though the court had thought of adopting an out-of-the-box solution but did not have any idea as to how far it had succeeded.

"We have already said in earlier hearings and cannot repeatedly say that the protesters do have the right to protest but they cannot block the roads," the bench said.

The top court remarks came after advocate Shashank Deo Sudhi, appearing for BJP leader Nand Kishore Garg, sought some interim order for removal of protesters from the road at Shaheen Bagh, saying people are using their right to protest as a weapon and causing inconvenience to others.

It added, "We have thought of something which was an out of box solution to the problem. However, we don't know how far we have succeeded but we must say that the interlocutors have made every endeavour to do whatever necessary to find the solution. We appreciate their efforts."
It asked all the parties to maintain composure, saying that "this is not how the developing society works and behaves. There can be difference of opinion. People may have their contra view which can be debated. There has to be a manner of debate."