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Right to protest has become a crime: Kapil Sibal slams Modi government
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News18•17-10-2026, 16:00
Right to protest has become a crime: Kapil Sibal slams Modi government
- •Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal criticized the Modi government for denotifying Jantar Mantar as a protest site, claiming that protesting has effectively become a crime in India.
- •Sibal expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will intervene and protect the fundamental right of citizens to peacefully protest.
- •He highlighted public discontent stemming from unemployment, economic troubles, and reduced public investment, warning that the government has lost its credibility.
- •Comparing India with global cities like New York, London, and Paris, Sibal questioned why central protest spaces are being restricted while the government promotes democratic values abroad.
- •He also alleged manipulation of the 2024 voters list due to centralized electoral systems and questioned the backing of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Key Questions Answered
Kapil Sibal slammed the Modi government for denotifying Jantar Mantar as a protest site, arguing that the decision effectively turns the constitutional right to protest into a crime. He also criticized restrictions on transport and public movement leading up to demonstrations.
Following the denotification of Jantar Mantar, the government suggested Ramlila Maidan and other locations for demonstrations, though critics noted that ongoing Dussehra festivities would make holding protests there impossible.
Kapil Sibal stated that the public has lost faith in the government due to huge unemployment, severe economic troubles, reduced public investment, and centralized electoral systems that led to voter list manipulation in 2024.
