In a clarion call to protest against the government’s execution of anti-national activities over the last few years, the Delhi High Court on Thursday did not bar the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its chief Abhijeet Dipke from holding a protest at the Connaught Place on October 16. During the proposed demonstration, the court, confessing that the Delhi Police had given it a “guarantee” to control the situation, said that this was “quite sufficient”.
This was an application filed by street vendor by the name of Anil Kumar Gupta. Gupta voiced apprehension over the protest march to be held at Central Park in Connaught Place which may hamper business operations and impact the trading community and vendors in the area, among others.
The petitioning had sought intervention related to “potential impact on the commercials in the busy handling area of the central Delhi area”. But, the court did not rule against prohibiting the demonstration.
Dipke has announced a nationwide protest, Lehra Do Tiranga on 16 October. He has called upon the participants to reach at Central park in Connaught Place at 5pm with the National flag in their hands.
The organisers say the demonstration is meant to oppose the arrest of fellow CJP members, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.
The Delhi Police’s reassurance to the court calls for a proper implementation the measure to oversee the gathering and peace. The protest is likely to be held in a well-visited and commercial public space, where business, working, and social activity may be disrupted.
The High Court’s judgment indicates that the proposed demonstration has not been prohibited under the order which was filed in the petition. The Police will be assigned to dry the situation and take steps to curb disorder and rule of law issue, if any.
The case points to the issue of the conflict between the right to peaceful protest and people’s right to business interests in a densely populated commercial area.