No law against having chicken on Ganga or protesting for Gaza: Supreme Court judge criticises judiciary
Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has criticized the Indian judiciary for its slow response to dissent-related cases and the imposition of restrictive bail conditions. He argued that the criminalization of normal activities, such as eating specific foods or protesting, threatens fundamental democratic freedoms.
Why it matters
This critique from a sitting judge highlights ongoing tensions regarding civil liberties, judicial efficiency, and the protection of dissent in the Indian legal system.
Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on Saturday took strong exception to the lackadaisical manner in which courts in India deal with petitions filed by citizens facing criminal action over dissent or protest..Speaking on the role of courts in protecting constitutional freedoms, Justice Bhuyan said citizens were increasingly facing criminal action for exercising their right to protest. While courts were granting relief in many cases, he said it often came belatedly, and restrictive bail conditions risked discouraging legitimate dissent."It will not be an exaggeration to say that public space for expressing divergent opinion is shrinking in India. The right to express one's views and to demonstrate peacefully are fundamental freedoms of the citizens. Debate and dissent are the essence of democracy.
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