The Supreme Court on Monday said there cannot be a blanket ban on protests at iconic Jantar Mantar and Boat Club in the national capital.
The apex court said people can hold peaceful protests and asked Delhi Police to frame guidelines in two months.
Emphasising on the need to balance between the right to protest and the security considerations, a bench of Justice A K Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan said that the Delhi Police will have to frame guidelines to regulate protests at both spots.
“There cannot be a complete ban on holding protests at places like Jantar Mantar and Boat Club (near India Gate),” the court said.
Last October, the National Green Tribunal had banned all protests and dharnas around Jantar Mantar area saying such activities violate environmental laws.
The top court was hearing a plea filed by an NGO seeking a direction and to allow demonstrations in the Central Delhi, including Jantar Mantar.
Several protests have been staged at Jantar Mantar in the recent past- including Babri Masjid demolition protests, Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement, One Rank One Pension protest and the Tamil Nadu farmers' protest.