Protest Or Anarchy? SIR, Regime Change And The Right To Protest

Is the right to protest under threat, or must public demonstrations operate within the law? On NDTV's Left, Right and Centre, the debate turns to the detention of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and other protesters in Delhi amid demonstrations over SIR and the Chief Election Commissioner. Prashant Bhushan's statement that "we all want regime change" has triggered a political row, with the BJP alleging that the opposition is seeking Bangladesh-style regime change. With Section 163 of the BNSS invoked to restrict public gatherings and Article 19 guaranteeing the right to peaceful assembly, where should the line be drawn between constitutional freedoms and restrictions imposed in the interest of public order? Two Supreme Court lawyers and two political analysts debate the law, the politics and the limits of protest.