Shankar Polji addressed the recent summons issued to individuals who participated in a protest, emphasizing the importance of upholding citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and free speech.
He highlighted that the issuance of summons to protesters is a concerning trend that may stifle democratic participation and dissent. Polji urged the authorities to exercise restraint and ensure that such actions are not used to intimidate or silence citizens.
It’s worth noting that the Supreme Court has established guidelines for handling protest petitions and summons. For instance, the court has ruled that a magistrate cannot reject a closure report and issue summons based solely on a protest petition ¹.
Polilji’s statement serves as a reminder of the need for balance between maintaining law and order, and protecting citizens’ fundamental rights.
