Mains issueGS-2Editorials16 October 2026

Right to Protest, Public Spaces, and Democratic Deliberation

An aspirant should be able to critically analyze the balance between the fundamental right to protest and the state's responsibility to maintain public order, emphasizing the importance of accessible public spaces for a vibrant democracy and the implications of their restriction.

Source: thehindu.comOriginal report

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Why now

The recent denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site by the Delhi Police, following a Supreme Court directive, has reignited debates on the fundamental right to protest and the availability of accessible public spaces for democratic expression, making it a critical issue for governance and civil liberties.

Core issue

The Delhi Police's decision to denotify Jantar Mantar as a protest site, citing a Supreme Court directive to identify alternative spacious locations, has sparked controversy. The article argues that restricting protests to distant locations undermines the fundamental right to protest and public deliberation, which are central to democracy. It highlights Jantar Mantar's strategic proximity to the seat of power and emphasizes that street protests are often the only recourse for marginalized groups to be heard, drawing parallels with other democracies that maintain central protest sites.

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