पूर्व गृह सचिव, खुफिया अफसर ने Modi & Shah का डर बताया! Kapil Sibal | Jantar Mantar

Police Action at Jantar Mantar

The panel discussed police action against protesters at Jantar Mantar, noting that the matter is before the Supreme Court and that its decision should not be pre-empted. The host cited reports of a large police deployment, arrests and alleged mistreatment of protesters.

Right to Protest and Public Order

The central argument was that peaceful protest is a constitutional right under Article 19. Speakers said the government may regulate demonstrations to protect public order, but should not use that power to arbitrarily prevent dissent. They stressed the distinction between a local law-and-order issue and a genuine threat to public order.

Former officials criticised what they described as a lack of dialogue and excessive restrictions. Gopal Pillai said protests had routinely been managed through communication and negotiation in Kerala and during earlier demonstrations in Delhi. Yashovardhan Azad argued for a professional protest-management system, including interlocutors and medical support. He also said police commissioners should make independent, evidence-based threat assessments rather than simply defer to political pressure.

Concerns About the Police Operation

The speakers raised concerns about the operation, including alleged mistreatment of women, the presence of plainclothes officers and officers without visible identification, and the detention of people before they reached the protest site. They also questioned restrictions that reportedly disrupted ordinary travel and public services.

These concerns were presented as criticisms by the panel, not as findings by a court.

Supreme Court Review and Protest Sites

Nitya cited Gandhi’s evidence to the Hunter Committee to argue that civil resistance can remain necessary even under an elected government. Kapil Sibal and other panellists said the Supreme Court’s review should consider whether restrictions were based on a credible threat assessment and whether police conduct was appropriate.

They also criticised the removal of Jantar Mantar’s designated protest status and called for a visible, central place where demonstrations can take place.

Broader Political Concerns

The discussion briefly touched on voter-roll concerns and unresolved political issues, including NEET. Panellists warned that suppressing demonstrations could lead to further protests and deepen public anger, while also saying the events appeared to be raising democratic awareness.

They called for dialogue, accountability and respect for the right to dissent.

Presenters and Contributors

• Kapil Sibal (host)
• Gopal Pillai
• Yashovardhan Azad
• Nitya (surname unclear in the subtitles)