The protest proposed in Delhi has attracted a lot of media attention since the CJ made it clear that he would consult the police to set a proper date to hold the peaceful demonstration. This is a clear indication of the need for the organisers to coordinate with law enforcement authorities for proper conduct of the demonstration.
This has been in the wake of deliberations about the demonstration and the preparations needed for it. Consulting the police about the date will enable the organisers to know the process of holding the peaceful demonstration.
Peaceful demonstrations are one of the most important forms of political activity where people express their grievances through demonstration and draw attention to issues which they consider very important. However, peaceful public demonstrations need to be organised in line with legal requirements in the place of demonstration, like Delhi.
It is the role of the Delhi Police in the management of the gatherings that is of importance to the public in terms of movement of traffic and safety during the demonstrations. This depends on the location and situation at hand, where the organisers will have to coordinate with the relevant authorities concerning the permit, the venue, management, and security.
It is apparent that the stated report shows the intention of discussing the issue of organising the schedule of the demonstration in question with the police, but not organising the demonstration without coordination with the police. The date of the demonstration, the location, and other details about the demonstration are going to be dependent on future developments.
This development raises the issue of balancing the right to peaceful assembly and the maintenance of public order. The right to peacefully assemble and not arm oneself is guaranteed in India’s Constitution under Article 19(1)(b).
Clarification about the reason behind the protest and other matters related to the protest, together with the response from the police, is needed to clarify the context of the demonstration.
