Page 3 - Protest

Peaceful protest is a right, but protesters' credentials matter: Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court on Monday observed that while peaceful demonstration is a fundamental right, factors like a protestor's credentials and public inconvenience must be weighed before issuing blanket orders restricting police action. A bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna directed the Maharashtra government to respond to petitions alleging the illegal detention of individuals by the police during recent anti-Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) protests in the city. The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocate Savar Devre against alleged police brutality and detention of persons who are taking out peaceful demonstrations in solidarity with the protests in Delhi. The plea had sought a direction to the police not to detain any person taking part in such peaceful protests. Advocate Gayatri Singh on Monday submitted an application filed by four persons who were detained by the police last week after participating in a peaceful

French unrest raises alarm across Europe as protests turn violent

While France has a history of street demonstrations, the intensity of attacks on public buildings, shops, raised fears of repeat action during a campaign featuring both the far left and far right

France protests: Macron vows to hold rioters accountable for violence

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday expressed the public's "anger" and "shame" over nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools that have resulted in at least 1,800 arrests. Speaking in an address to the nation, Macron said: "Those who looted will have to pay back for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable." He pointed to "unrestrained violence" by "insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals.

Cockroach protests pose fresh challenge for Modi govt amid voter roll row

Opposition demands for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over voter-roll revisions have put the government under pressure, as arrests and security restrictions risk fuelling wider protests

Mass demonstrations in France spiral into worst violence in decades

While hundreds of thousands protested peacefully in street marches in scores of cities, violent fringe groups targeted public buildings, looted luxury boutiques and supermarkets and attacked police

Rioters loot stores, set fires in Italy during cost-of-living protest

Rioters clashed with police, looted stores and set property on fire in central Milan on Saturday, emptying Piazza del Duomo and a luxury shopping arcade when the area would usually be teeming with shoppers. The march against wars and rising living costs began peacefully. But masked protesters threw stones, paving blocks and other objects at riot police and set fire to barricades made from bar tables. Images of the aftermath showed a severely damaged carabinieri car. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds. At least two police officers were injured and about 50 demonstrators, including many minors, were detained, the LaPresse news agency reported. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence in a social media post. "Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not," she wrote, citing "hooligans who exploit demonstrations to sow chaos, attack those responsible for ensuring security and hold entire cities hostage". Milan's centre-left mayor,

CJP's Abhijeet Dipke granted conditional bail, asked to sign peace bond

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was granted conditional bail on Saturday and asked to sign a peace bond, police sources said. Dipke was detained moments after he stepped out of his house in Delhi's Jhandewalan area to participate in the CJP's "Lehra Do Tiranga" protest at Connaught Place on Friday. He was arrested on Saturday morning for allegedly violating a peace bond furnished by him on October 10. "Based on the assurance given in the peace bond, he was let off. We are awaiting for the written order for further details," a senior police officer told PTI.

Delhi Police files multiple FIRs over CJP's 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protest

Delhi Police has registered multiple FIRs in connection with alleged violation of prohibitory orders in Connaught Place ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Lehra do Tiranga' protest a day ago, sources said on Saturday. "Despite repeated announcements asking people to disperse, a crowd gathered in and around Connaught Place on Friday, prompting the police to initiate legal action," said the source. The prohibitory orders, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, banned mass gatherings in Connaught Place and adjoining areas. Hundreds of CJP supporters and student activists staged a series of flash protests across Connaught Place amid a massive police deployment on Friday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Protests against CEC, SIR will continue despite interventions: Prakash Raj

Actor-activist Prakash Raj has asserted that peaceful nationwide protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the SIR of electoral rolls would persist despite attempts to "suppress" them. He was speaking to reporters after attending a protest meeting against Chief Election Commissioner Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls at Manaveeyam Veedhi here on Friday. Before the event began, police intervened, saying the organisers did not obtain permission to use a microphone. This led to a minor tussle, after which the police allowed the event to continue. Raj said the country's youth would continue to protest peacefully, drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh. "There is Gandhi's blood in us. There is Ambedkar's blood in us, there is Bhagat Singh's blood in us. We will continue to fight, we will continue to protest peacefully across the country, and it will prove you wrong that you can get away with this dictatorship," he ...

Neha Bora released, Dipke to be produced before SEM court: Delhi Police

All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha Bora was released early Saturday morning, while Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke will be produced before the SEM court, Delhi Police said. Both were taken into preventive custody ahead of the 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protest march at Connaught Place here on Friday. Bora was released after completing formalities related to her detention under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act, while action was initiated against Dipke under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), police said. Dipke was subsequently arrested and will be produced before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court later in the day, police sources said.

Abhijeet Dipke, Neha Bora detained on way to 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protest

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke and AISA chief Neha Bohra were detained by Delhi Police on Friday while on their way to Connaught Place to participate in the 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protest in Connaught Place. While Dipke was picked up from his home in Jhandewalan, Bohra was detained in Mandi House, both in Central Delhi. There was chaos with jostling crowds, camera crews and swarms of security personnel as the two were detained. Earlier in the day, more than 20 Delhi Police personnel visited Dipke's residence in Jhandewalan and served him a notice directing him to refrain from any action that could prejudice the rights of citizens, traders, commuters, patients and others. The police action comes amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital ahead of the protest on Friday evening.

Delhi police serves notice to Abhijeet Dipke ahead of CJP protest today

Businesses do not suffer because of peaceful protests but when the government shuts down an entire city, suspends internet and restricts citizens' movement, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke said on Friday. In a post on X, Dipke defended the party's commitment to peace and non-violence ahead of its proposed 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march at Central Park in Connaught Place. The CJP had organised protests in Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Nagpur, and all of them were peaceful, he said. Dipke said he was personally assaulted in Jaipur but chose not to retaliate, since responding to violence with violence went against the movement's principles. "We would rather exercise the rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution, drafted under the leadership of Dr B R Ambedkar, than resort to physical force," he said. Rejecting attempts to portray CJP members as anarchists, Dipke said demanding answers from the government, protesting against injustice and questioning publi

SC declines urgent hearing on closure of Central Park ahead of CJP protest

Hoping that "better sense will prevail" among all concerned, the Supreme Court on Friday refused an urgent hearing on a plea against the NDMC order shutting down Central Park at Connaught Place over the proposed protest by the Cockroach Janta Party. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi declined to entertain the plea and said, "We hope better sense will prevail on everyone. Small shopkeepers earn their livelihood during these days. We know the hardship and difficulty entire families will face." Justice Bagchi observed that the various issues surrounding the protest, including the right to protest, the proposed selling of 'mungfali' and concerns over law and order, were interconnected. "Someone wants to protest, someone wants to sell 'mungfali', someone wants law and order. All these are related," Justice Bagchi said. The court could exercise its constitutional jurisdiction if the situation resulted in business losses. "If there's loss of

Supreme Court hears contempt plea on order against Metro restrictions

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar tendered unconditional apologies to the Supreme Court in a case linked to restrictions during Delhi protests.

SC orders preservation of Delhi protest footage, issues notices to Centre

The Supreme Court sought replies from the Centre, Delhi Police and opposition leaders on petitions over recent protests, while ordering preservation of CCTV footage and digital evidence.

Delhi Police chief tenders 'unconditional apology' to SC, defends curbs

Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar has told the Supreme Court that timely, proportionate and lawful measures taken by the police helped avert a major public order situation during the recent protests in the national capital. The commissioner, who tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology to the apex court in a contempt case, said that preventive measures undertaken on October 10, when the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gave a protest call, were based on intelligence inputs and an assessment of the prevailing and ever-changing ground situation. In an affidavit filed in the top court, Kumar referred to the steps taken by the police administration, including regulation of Metro rail services in Delhi. "These measures were directed towards maintaining peace and tranquillity and preventing any disturbance of public order in the national capital," he said. The efforts made, and the actions taken by the police, deserve to be viewed in the context of the fact that Delhi is the ...

Govt apologises to SC over October 10 Delhi curbs, denies wilful defiance

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan said the October 10 restrictions were intended to maintain public order, clarifying that the internet shutdown lasted 24 hours within a 4-km radius of Raisina Hill

Delhi Police files FIR against journalist over alleged casteist remarks

Delhi Police has registered an FIR against an independent journalist and others on a complaint by one of its officers alleging casteist remarks, public humiliation and defamation during a protest near Jantar Mantar earlier this month, officials said on Wednesday. The FIR was registered under relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and sections 221 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 356(2) (Defamation) and 3(5) (Common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on the complaint by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, posted in Connaught Place sub-division of New Delhi district. Earlier, the independent journalist had alleged sexual assault charges against the ACP and an enquiry of her complaint is being investigated by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police. According to the FIR, Bhagat was performing law-and-order duty at Jantar Mantar on October 3 when he allegedly overheard the journalist making derogatory ..

Albania's capital sees 8-hour riots as students join anti-govt protests

Protesters in Albania attacked government buildings, banks, businesses and other sites during riots that lasted more than eight hours across the capital Tirana on Wednesday in a violent escalation of an anti-government movement that has staged rallies for months. Hundreds of youths smashed store fronts, set fires and caused damage to at least four government ministry buildings during running battles with riot police, who used tear gas and water cannon to try and hold back the crowds. Authorities said 23 police officers and six other people were being treated for injuries, while 35 people were detained. President Bajram Begaj condemned the violence and appealed for calm, adding: "The constitution and the law must remain the boundaries for everyone, without exception." The latest demonstrations, continuing for a second day, were organized by student groups seeking education reforms. But the protesters have joined a broader anti-government campaign opposed to a development project link

Delhi protests: DMRC tells SC no metro services were curtailed or cancelled

There was no curtailment or cancellation of metro train services during the recent protests in the national capital and the entry and exit were restricted in 45 out of the 303 stations, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation told the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The DMRC said over 85 per cent of metro network (258 stations) remained fully operational, accessible and functional for commuters. In an affidavit filed in the apex court, the DMRC said the entry and exit were restricted in only 45 out of 303 stations, accounting for only 15 per cent of the entire network. It said the entry and exit regulations were undertaken pursuant to the assessment of law enforcement agencies and in accordance with their directions. "The actual number of passengers who boarded the metro on October 10, 2026 was 32 lakh approx, as against approximately 58 lakh passengers on a normal second Saturday," the DMRC said. The corporation filed the compliance report in pursuance to the apex court's October 9 order.