"Protest is a Constitutional Right": Judge on Bhim Army chief Azad's Bail Hearing

New Delhi, January 14, 2020:

The Additonal Sessions Judge Dr Kamini Lau, while the bail hearing of Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad, observed that protest is a constitutional right.

While the bail hearing of Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad, the Judge explained that anyone could protest as it was a constitutional right.

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During the bail hearing of Azad, who was arrested during the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in Jama Masjid, the Judge lashed out at the public prosecutor, who was arguing Azad’s bail on the basis of his social media posts, which were “objectionable”.

On reading out the “objectionable” posts, which according to him had incited violence, the Judge asked, “What was wrong with Dharna? What is wrong with protesting? It is one’s constitutional right to protest.”

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Observing that there was nothing violent about the social media posts, the Judge reminded the prosecutor that one had the right to protest. She continued saying that she had earlier seen many people who had protested outside the Parliament, who later became leaders and Ministers. She commented that the Bhim army chief was a budding politician who had the right to protest.

It may be mentioned here that Azad was arrested on December 21, 2019, for allegedly inciting violence during the CAA protests. He had surrendered to Daryaganj Police in exchange of the ones detained on December 20.

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