The Defense Ministry has held a press conference amid the ongoing protests in the country regarding the Agneepath scheme. After the meeting, the three army chiefs have made important announcements regarding the Agneepath scheme. During this, Additional Secretary, Military Department, Lt Gen Anil Puri said something like that the discussion of Agneepath has turned towards constitutional rights. In fact, Anil Puri said that discipline is the basis of the army and said, there is no place for arson and sabotage here.
It is clear from the statement of Anil Puri that all the youth who are protesting against the Agneepath scheme at present, they will not be given jobs under this scheme. Yes, Anil Puri has said, “Every person has to bring a certificate that he was not involved in the protests or sabotage. Hundred percent police verification will be necessary. Without this no one will be able to join.”
Indian Army’s foundation in discipline. No space for arson, vandalism. Every individual will give a certificate that they were not part of protest or vandalism. Police verification is 100%, no one can join without that: Lt General Anil Puri, Addit’l Secy, Dept of Military Affairs pic.twitter.com/Ta421tRpkT
— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2022
‘Protest’ a Fundamental Right- In the year 2021, a bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Anoop Jairam Bhambhani of the Delhi High Court made important remarks while hearing a case related to CAA Protest and Delhi riots. While granting bail to Jawaharlal Nehru University student Devangana Kalita, the bench had said, “The right to protest is a fundamental right and cannot be termed as ‘terrorist activity'”.
Speaking at an event organized on the topic ‘Our Right to Decent’ in February 2021, former Supreme Court judge Justice Deepak Gupta had said, the right to dissent is a characteristic of democracy.
Courts have at times declared the right to protest as a fundamental right. Fundamental rights are mentioned in Part III of the Constitution (up to Articles 12-35). The right to freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed under Article 19. The right to protest and dissent is considered to be contained in this article. Under this right, the citizens of India can challenge the decisions of the government. But the condition is that the protest should be peaceful and without weapons. To resort to violence during protests is a violation of a major fundamental duty. Under Article 51A, it is the duty of every citizen to protect public property and abstain from violence.