New Delhi: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal welcomed the Supreme Court’s order that said there cannot be a “complete ban” on holding protests and sit-ins at places like Jantar Mantar and Boat Club. He said attempts to convert Delhi into a police state was “dangerous” for democracy. “I welcome the Hon’ble Supreme Court verdict upholding peaceful right to protest in central Delhi. Attempts to convert Delhi into a police state is dangerous for democracy and rightly struck down by (the) Hon’ble Supreme Court,” Mr Kejriwal tweeted.

Delhi Congress chief  Ajay Maken too welcomed the decision as he felt that it was the fundamental right of the people to raise their voice near the seat of power, i.e. Parliament and key Central government offices, on various issues., as otherwise it amounted to stifling the voice of the people which is not done in a democracy.

Mr Maken said that the Supreme Court ruling has upheld the people’s right to make peaceful protests in Central Delhi, which he termed as a victory for democracy.

The Supreme Court today said there cannot be any blanket ban on holding protests near Jantar Mantar, located on Parliament Street, and the Boat Club on Rajpath.

Mr Maken said the apex court ruling makes it clear that we are not living under a Police Raj and the people have every right to vent their protests on pressing issues at Boat Club and Janpath, which were the favourite protest venues of the people, before protests and dharnas were banned at these places.

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