“I did not agree with
What you have to say,
But, I will defend to death
Your right to say it” ~ Voltaire
“Age of Reasons” have transformed human civilization by enforcing that spirit of inquiry .Since, time immoral individual right to dissent has motivated lawmakers to draft legislation that can protect dignified life.
Recently, farmers in India are protesting against the new farm laws. This protest has been turning out to be one of the longest protests in Indian history.
Arguments related to “Right to Protest”
Indian Supreme Court has said farmers have a constitutional right to protest. Article 19 (1) (a) guarantees the freedom of speech and expression.
Article 19 (1) (b) guarantees citizen rights to peacefully assemble without arms. However, these rights are also subjected to reasonable restriction under Article 19 (2) while, Shaheen Bagh Judgment supreme court explicitly defined between Right to Protest Vs Right to Mobility. This Judgment upheld the right to protest but, vedirected that public space cannot be occupied indefinitely.
In democracy, Right to speech and expression is treasured but, as a responsible citizen we should understand the Right of Protests Vs Right to Commute. If our constitution guarantees certain Fundamental Rights our responsibility is to reciprocate Fundamental Duties which always motivates us to respect our constitution, integrity and sovereignty of the nation.
