The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Union Government seeking its official position on a collective petition filed by traders, street vendors and a group of lawyers demanding that the administration introduce clear rules to regulate public demonstrations in the capital.
Petitioners argue that unregulated protests have repeatedly disrupted commercial activity in market areas and have created safety concerns for both shopkeepers and pedestrians. They request that the court direct the Centre to frame guidelines that balance the right to peaceful assembly with the need to maintain order and protect livelihoods.
In its order, the bench highlighted the importance of a coordinated approach between the judiciary, the executive and local authorities. It noted that while the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, the exercise of that right should not unduly hamper the functioning of businesses that form the economic backbone of Delhi.
The court has given the Centre a deadline to submit its response, after which it will consider whether to issue any interim directions. Legal experts say the matter could set a precedent for how protest activities are managed in densely populated urban centres across the country.
Stakeholders, including representatives of market associations and the Delhi Bar Association, have welcomed the court’s intervention, stating that a clear regulatory framework would provide much‑needed certainty for all parties involved.
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📰 Source: The Hindu National