Mains issueGS-2Editorials13 October 2026

The Right to Protest, Democratic Space, and Reasonable Restrictions in India

An aspirant should be able to articulate the constitutional basis of the right to protest, critically evaluate the application of reasonable restrictions, and analyze the implications of state policies on democratic space and the exercise of fundamental freedoms in India.

Source: indianexpress.comOriginal report

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Why now

Recent governmental actions restricting public gatherings and designating specific, often remote, protest sites have sparked debate about the effective exercise of fundamental rights to protest and dissent, prompting calls to safeguard democratic space.

Core issue

The article discusses concerns over increasing restrictions on public protests, symbolized by the shift from central protest venues like Jantar Mantar to designated, often remote, sites ('Jantar Mantar 2.0'). This trend has led to calls for 'redemocratisation,' highlighting a perceived shrinking of democratic space and the need to re-evaluate fundamental rights related to dissent and public assembly.

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