Supreme Court Calls for National Protocol on Handling Protests
The Supreme Court observed on July 27, 2026, that the constitutional right to peaceful protest must be protected and may frame uniform guidelines for police conduct during demonstrations. Chief Justice Surya Kant highlighted concerns over injuries to both protesters and police personnel. Multiple petitions were filed regarding alleged police excesses during protests related to examination paper leaks, including incidents of aerial firing in Bihar. Following the protests, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, and the government proposed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, increasing penalties for exam-related offences. The court will hear all pending petitions together on July 28, 2026, addressing allegations of disproportionate police force and violence during protests.
Published 85 days ago • 27 Jul 2026, 11:31 AM IST