Ghose then asked whether it is the Centre’s stand that in Delhi there can be no protests.
Justice Mahajan replied, “That’s for the police to decide. If they can’t afford to have protests inside the city, that’s…”
“Fair enough, let them say so that there will be no democratic, peaceful protests in Delhi. We will accept it,” Ghose said.
Justice Mahajan said that he was not talking about whether these protests were democratic or undemocratic but “why should the city be put to ransom”.
Ghose said that the Supreme Court in the Shaheen Bagh case has said that the right to peaceful protest is there.
“Of course. But don’t put the city to ransom na,” Justice Mahajan underscored.
Meanwhile, ASG Sharma said that Section 144 of CrPC is in place in the area and August 15 is around the corner.
“The security forces are deployed. When 75 people become 75,000, we don’t know…
“Personally, if you have ask me, I have a different view. Why should this happen in the city when the entire city goes into… Whether it’s the ambulances or otherwise,” Justice Mahajan reiterated.
“The whole city is held to ransom. But their supposed 19(1)(a) rights are better than any other right enjoyed by any other person,” ASG Sharma then stated.
Ghose replied that ASG Sharma was playing to the gallery.
