Supreme Court backs right to association, peaceful protest; seeks permission details of Oct 10 protests

More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across central Delhi, where the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has announced protest on October 10, this time against Kumar. | Photo Credit: PTI

The Supreme Court of India on Friday (October 9, 2026) said the right to association and protest peacefully is a fundamental right of every citizen while reacting to a mention by senior lawyers of the apex court about the unprecedented “shutting down” of the national capital a day ahead of the CJP protests for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 10.

Making an impromptu oral mention before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, a battery of lawyers, led by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and A.M. Singhvi, said the capital has been “heavily barricaded”, making free movement virtually impossible.

“What is happening in my country? Can we not protest peacefully anymore?” Mr. Sibal asked the Supreme Court.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was present in the courtroom, cut in to point out that “it is our country”.

“When I say ‘my’, I mean ‘our’,” Mr. Sibal responded.

Mr. Mehta said the measures were meant to prevent any unlawful incidents.

“There is no doubt about the fundamental right to association. The right has to be exercised in accordance with the laws governing association. You have to make an application for permission. If they do not grant permission or drag their feet, you come here,” Justice Joymalya Bagchi, on the Bench, said.