The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court said in a democracy it was essential to have designated places for conducting public meetings, protests, etc.
When public interest comes into conflict with private interest, to a certain extent, the private interest must give way to the larger public interest; Democracy forms part of the basic structure of the Constitution, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has said.The court made the observation while hearing a petition filed by R. Muthuraja of Sankarankovil in Tenkasi district, who sought a direction to the district administration not to give permission for any public meeting or gathering in the vicinity of his restaurant.He said the people obtaining permission for meetings completely blocked the ingress and egress to the restaurant and also used high-decibel loudspeakers, thereby seriously interfering with his right to carry on business in a peaceful manner. On many occasions, protests were conducted without obtaining proper permission, he said.The State submitted that the District Collector, along with other competent authorities, had identified the particular site as suitable for conducting public meetings, protests, etc. The place had been used for such purposes for several years.Considering the availability of space and other requirements, permission was being granted for conducting meetings at the place. If any person conducted a meeting without appropriate permission and if it was brought to the notice of the authorities concerned, appropriate action would be taken, it was submitted.Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy said in a democracy, it was essential to have designated places for conducting public meetings, protests, etc., so as to enable the people to ventilate their grievances in a public manner.At the same time, while granting permission for meetings, it must be ensured that the ingress and the egress to the petitioner’s restaurant were not completely blocked and the petitioner’s business was not wholly disrupted. Therefore, while granting permission, the District Collector and other authorities inspecting the site should ensure that the petitioner’s business was also allowed to function in a peaceful manner, the court said and disposed of the petition. Published - May 28, 2026 09:28 pm IST
