The Supreme Court on Monday emphasized that the right to peaceful protest is constitutionally protected and mere agitation cannot justify a lathi-charge.
The court made this observation while hearing petitions alleging police excesses against students protesting examination paper leaks.
Right to peaceful, lawful protest absolutely guaranteed under Constitution.
So long as it is peaceful agitation, merely because there is agitation, there can't be [excess], the bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi, and V Mohana said.
The bench said if there is excess committed, it should be independently examined.
