Welcome move: On the Supreme Court and Gen Z protesters

The Supreme Court of India, invoking Article 142, quashed criminal cases against youth protesters involved in nationwide agitations for examination reforms and government accountability, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). This move, requested by the Union government, is seen as a 'salutary gesture' and an acknowledgment of the pressing issues like paper leaks and youth unemployment. The article contrasts this approach with the government's handling of other protests, such as those by farmers or against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, where dissent was often criminalized with serious charges. It highlights the importance of legitimate protest as a means of defusing discontent and calls for the Supreme Court to apply a similar standard to other cases of dissent.