New Delhi: The Supreme Court has advised police and rapid action forces to exercise restraint while dealing with student protests, stressing that aggressive handling can escalate situations.
The observation came during a hearing by a bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant, which considered petitions related to violence that erupted during student protests in Delhi and other states. The bench also heard a separate plea seeking action against the “Karappanpoochi Janata Party”, alleging it was responsible for violence during a protest in Delhi.
In its order, the court underlined that in a democratic country, citizens have the right to protest peacefully. At the same time, it said law enforcement must act with composure while managing such demonstrations so that students do not turn aggressive or drift into violence.
The judges noted that if police respond with anger, the situation can deteriorate further. They said listening to why students are protesting, what they are trying to convey, and what their demands are can help prevent issues from becoming larger, adding that students are young and often need guidance.
