The right to protest is essential to maintain accountability and prevent arbitrary rule-making by the government. Courts have recognised that peaceful protests are immensely important in a democracy. The right to protest is protected under the right to freedom of speech and expression, and the authorities are not permitted to revoke or grant permission by going into the merits of the protest.1
- Iftekaar Zakee Shaikh v. The State of Maharashtra, 903 Cri. W.P. 223 of 2020 [↩]